Arson charge nets man jail, $50,000 bond

A Lawton man is in jail on $50,000 bond after he was accused of setting fire to a woman’s clothes in his yard.

Darryl Eugene Smith, 58, made his initial appearance Tuesday in Comanche County District Court where he received a felony charge of fourth-degree arson, records indicate. The crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine up to $5,000.

Smith was arrested shortly after 10:30 p.m. Friday after police discovered a large fire at 1601 SW New York.

Lawton Police Sgt. Ethan McCracken stated there was a large pile of clothes on fire in the yard with a gas can nearby, the probable cause affidavit states. When he saw the officer, Smith picked up a garden hose and began watering down the fire.

At first, Smith said he was burning his own clothes because he was upset but women’s clothes were in the burn pile, McCracken stated. Smith recently filed for a protective order against a woman and he admitted he burned “her” clothes, the affidavit states. Lawton firefighters extinguished the flames and Smith was arrested for arson.

Smith returns to court at 3 p.m. May 6 for his preliminary hearing conference.