On September 14, 2020 Detectives from the Oregon State Police Arson Section responded to the 33000 block of North Fork Road to assist the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Stayton Fire Department with an arson investigation.
On January 29, 2021 Detectives arrested William (Dale) Hopson (48) of Lyons for Burglary, Criminal Trespass, Arson, Criminal Mischief and Reckless Endangering. He was lodged at the Marion County Jail and is expected to be arraigned on February 1, 2021.
Investigation revealed that on September 9, 2020, two days after the initial Beachie Creek Fire (September 7, 2020) burned through the Detroit, Gates, Mill City and Lyons areas, Hopson returned to the area and intentionally set fire to his neighbors residence.
Hopson and the neighbor’s residence had not been damaged by the Beachie Creek Fire.