An inmate has been charged with arson after setting a mattress on fire in his jail cell at the LaPorte County Jail.
After an investigation was conducted, it was found that on July 4, Marzono Shelly reportedly started the fire in his cell in the south end of the jail. 40 inmates were moved from that part of the jail and Shelly was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. He was later transferred to the Indiana Department of Corrections due to his destructive and dangerous behavior.
A warrant was issued by the LaPorte County Circuit Court for Arson, a Class B Felony.
At the time of the fire, Marzono Shelly was awaiting trial on charges of Murder, Possession of a Firearm by a Violent Felon and Battery by Bodily Waste.
Sheriff Michael Mollenhauer praised the jail staff on their quick response in the incident that prevented harm to other inmates.
