Roswell Man Charged With Arson in Church Fire

The man initially arrested as a person of interest in Sunday’s fire at a Roswell church has been charged with arson.

Juan Carlos Ramirez, 24, of Roswell was charged as a “result of the investigation and a subsequent confession” to the fire that damaged Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church, the Roswell Fire Fire Department said Monday morning.

The fire started around 1:30 a.m. Dec. 14 at the facility located at 2030 Old Alabama Road. The church sustained moderate fire and smoke damage and firefighters were able to put out the fire in roughly 20 minutes, Roswell fire said.

Ramirez, who was found naked, was initially arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, Roswell police spokesperson Lisa Holland said. No motive has been established in the alleged crime, Roswell fire noted.

Photo: Juan Carlos Ramirez, 24, of Roswell has been charged with arson in the fire that damaged Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church. Credit: Roswell Fire Department