Mother and Son Busted in Jasper Arson Case!

Looks like things got heated in Jasper, Alabama! A mother and son duo are cooling off behind bars after being arrested for allegedly torching the Walker County Public Defender’s Office.

The Alleged Crime

Joseph Cole Whitten Kolachuk, 19, and Amanda Jo Howard Kulichok, 42, are facing serious charges: third-degree arson, third-degree burglary, and second-degree theft. Yikes! They were both booked into the Walker County Jail after the Jasper Police Department’s big announcement.

The Blaze

The fire ripped through the Public Defender’s Office early Saturday morning, July 5th, around 4:28 a.m. Jasper's finest firefighters rushed to the scene at 19th Street West and 4th Avenue, battling heavy smoke and flames. The building? Total loss, sadly including all those important files and documents. Luckily, no one was hurt, though a neighboring law office suffered smoke and water damage.

The Investigation

A tip from a concerned citizen helped crack the case! Surveillance footage snagged two individuals hauling stuff away from the building around the time of the fire. Police ID’d the suspects, brought them in for questioning, and recovered stolen goodies, including a pistol and ID cards pilfered from an attorney's desk.

Backstory

Reportedly, Kolachuk and Kulichok have been homeless for years and struggling with addiction, according to police reports.

Hometown Heroes

Fire Chief Chris Upton expressed his pride in the Jasper Fire Department. Police Chief Jay Poe also lauded the teamwork and public support that led to the arrests, highlighting the awesome relationship the department has with the community. The Jasper Police Department, Fire and Rescue, street departments, the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Walker County District Attorney’s Office all worked together on the case. Talk about a team effort!