Hartsville arson suspect arrested again

A Hartsville arson suspect was arrested again after deputies said he made several threats toward witnesses in the case, Darlington County Capt. Andy Locklair said.

Jerry Michael O’Neal, 35, of 3301 Substation Road is charged with intimidation of a witness, Darlington County Detention Center bookings reports show.

The suspect threatened to do bodily harm to witnesses who told investigators it was he who intentionally set fire to someone’s storage barn, Locklair said.

The fire happened Oct. 2 at 2600 Robinsonview Road near Hartsville.  The suspect was arrested and charged with arson after a joint investigation involving Darlington deputies and the State Law Enforcement Division Arson Unit, Locklair said.

O’Neal was released from the jail in Darlington on a $5,000 surety bond.