Suspect in Mason County Courthouse fire officially charged with arson

The man arrested Friday in Williamson County following a 50 mile pursuit is facing two felony charges of arson and one charge of burglary of a building.

Nicholas Jarret Miller, 41, is currently booked into the McLennan County Jail. He has not yet been indicted and doesn’t have an attorney at this time.

The Mason County Courthouse fire reportedly started around 10 p.m. February 4, and by 1:30 a.m., the only thing still standing was an outer rock wall, according to Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden.

At the same time as the courthouse fire, a home 1.2 miles away on Ranck Avenue was on fire, and authorities say they believe the two incidents are related.

The 111-year old courthouse was beginning renovations and all of the county’s documents and records were relocated in December. The county’s previous two courthouses were also lost due to fires.

On Friday, Georgetown police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Ford F-350 at about 10:40 a.m., but the driver continued without stopping. Texas DPS joined the pursuit near Jarrell, heading north on Interstate 35, according to a press release.

Miller was eventually apprehended at mile marker 328, south of Waco, and is currently booked into the McLennan County Jail. He is also facing felony charges of evading arrest in a vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Bearden said, “We are strong enough, and we will rebuild.” The county is taking donations that would go toward rebuilding the courthouse.