Third Arrest in Barrow County Church Arson

BARROW COUNTY --- Barrow County authorities have arrested a third suspect in connection with a 2005 church arson.

Barrow County Sheriff's investigators identify the third suspect as Bruce Edward Smith, Sr.

The arrest comes after last week's arrest of the former pastor at New Life Deliverance Church.

The former pastor, 49-year-old Quincy Arnold of Lawrenceville, is charged with arson, conspiracy to commit a crime, being party to the crime of vandalism to a place of worship, and insurance fraud.

A spokesman for the Barrow County Sheriff's department tells 11Alive Smith was an acquaintance of Arnold, and was not a member of the church.

Arnold posted a $50,000 bond from the Barrow County Detention Center on Wednesday, February 11.

Quincy Arnold's son, 24-year-old Maurice Arnold, of Dacula, was arrested in January by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office. The younger Arnold was charged with arson, conspiracy to commit arson, and vandalism to a place of worship.

The New Life Deliverance Church, located on Pierce Road in Winder, burned on December 7th, 2005. Authorities conducted an investigation and found gasoline was used to start the fire.

Since the fire, a new congregation has moved into the location. In October 2008, the church became home to congregation of The Church at Pierce Road. The Pastor of the Church at Pierce Road tells 11Alive News they have no relation to the former church.