On 4-19-2020, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office along with rural Fire Departments responded to a report of a fire at a vacant residence on E. E Hwy in rural Milo, MO. The residence was a total loss due to the fire.
According to Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher, a suspect was identified by a photo that was captured on a camera that was placed on the property by the property owner. “The photo was put on our Facebook page and within minutes, we were able to get the suspect identified with the help of the public”, says Mosher.
Vernon County Detectives began an investigation that consisted of conducting multiple field interviews and received a search warrant to obtain the suspects historical location information from his cell phone carrier to gain evidence against the suspect.
The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Trenton McCowan, of El Dorado Springs. On Monday morning, the Courts issued an arrest warrant charging McCowan with 2nd Degree Arson. On Monday afternoon, Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office were able to locate McCowan in El Dorado Springs and conduct surveillance nearby while the El Dorado Springs Police Department was able to take McCowan into custody.
McCowan is being held in the Vernon County Jail on a $50,000 cash only bond.
