Woman charged with arson faces low bond

By Nathan Owens

Staff Writer

EL DORADO — A woman accused of burning a house down was arrested and charged with a $10,000 bond, one of the lowest bond amounts the court can offer for alleged felons.

Laloni P. Hudson, 36, of Calion was arrested Tuesday in connection with lighting her ex-husband’s house on fire, after allegedly threatening to burn the house down during past arguments, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

On April 22 authorities from the Calion Fire Department and Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to a house fire in the 100 block of N. Pine Street. By the time deputies arrived “it was totaled,” said Union County Sheriff Ricky Roberts.

Union County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jim Sanders has been investigating the case since the incident was first reported. According to Sanders, Hudson traveled to her soon-to-be ex-husband’s residence because she suspected he was seeing another woman.

“It was a crime of passion,” Sanders said, adding later. “She lit a pillow on fire, threw it into the living room and the house caught on fire.”

According to the sheriff’s office, the owner of the residence said he had been at his girlfriend’s house at the time of the fire. The owner told authorities he received a text message from Hudson, which read that his house was on fire.

It was strange that he received a message from Hudson, the owner said, because they had been separated for six months and she had been living in Forrest City, according to the sheriff’s office.

After further investigation, a county sergeant found enough evidence to charge Hudson with arson on April 28.

At a traffic stop, St. Francis County deputies arrested her and later she was taken on Tuesday to the Union County Detention Center for booking. She made her first court appearance on Wednesday with 35th District Court Judge Jack Barker presiding.

In court, State Prosecutor Greg Thomas recommended a $20,000 bond after looking at evidence provided by authorities. However, Barker lowered her bond after considering her lack of criminal history and behavior with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

“She’s been very cooperative with law enforcement, your honor,” State Prosecutor Greg Thomas said.

Before Barker, Hudson pled to be released on her own recognizance.

“My daughter lives here,” Hudson said, suggesting there would be no trouble appearing for further circuit court proceedings. “Can I get an OR bond?”

Arson is classified as a class-A felony punishable of no less than six years, no more than 30 years in prison, with up to $15,000 in fines. After consideration, Barker cut her bond in half.

“If the state has no objection, I’ll lower it to $10,000, cash or corporate surety,” Barker said.

After court, Sanders said he stood by Barker’s ruling because she has been forthcoming with information.

“Normally we have to drag it out of people,” Sanders said. “It seems to be low, but I’ll agree with the judge.”

If she is able to make bond, she is bound to circuit court for further proceedings, confined to a curfew, limited by no-contact orders, and restricted from possessing firearms, alcohol or non-prescription drugs while the case is active.

Nathan Owens is a staff writer and may be reached at 870-862-6611 or at [email protected]. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter at nowensednt.

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