TikTok Couple Charged With Arson After Setting Fire to West Virginia Home

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A TikTok couple from West Virginia is facing serious felony charges after investigators say surveillance footage captured the pair allegedly setting fire to an abandoned home in Charleston. Dakota Harper, 21, and Felicity Eatmon, 22, were arrested Tuesday and charged with first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit arson in connection with the September 27 fire at a vacant residence on Maryland Avenue.

Fire Investigation and Surveillance Footage

Firefighters were called to the property at approximately 11:15 p.m. Sunday. Investigators determined that the residence was abandoned and had no active utilities. However, nearby surveillance cameras told a different story.

According to the criminal complaint cited by WV News, Harper and Eatmon were allegedly captured together in an alley next to the residence immediately before the fire. The footage shows the pair accessing the home through a side door. Eatmon is then allegedly seen handing Harper what appeared to be a piece of paper. Authorities say the couple used a handheld ignition source to ignite the paper before placing it inside the residence.

Roughly 30 seconds later, according to investigators, the pair returned to the doorway. Eatmon allegedly partially entered the building and reached inside while Harper remained visible nearby. As the minutes passed, surveillance footage allegedly began showing light and flames reflecting from inside the doorway. The pair then left the area, investigators said.

Damage and Legal Consequences

The fire didn’t just destroy the abandoned property. The adjacent Canaan United Methodist Church sustained more than $10,000 in damage, according to the criminal complaint.

Harper and Eatmon have built a sizable online audience by posting videos about their relationship. Their TikTok account had accumulated more than 30,000 followers. Now, instead of another viral TikTok clip, the couple is dealing with felony charges that could carry years behind bars.

Under West Virginia law governing first-degree arson, intentionally burning a dwelling, including one that is vacant or unoccupied, is punishable upon conviction by two to 20 years in prison. The conspiracy charge is potentially even more severe. West Virginia’s conspiracy statute specifically provides a punishment of five to 25 years when the underlying alleged offense is first-degree arson under §61-3-1.

Both Harper and Eatmon were being held on $10,000 bond each, according to local reporting. The allegations have not yet been proven in court, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.

Source: The Gateway Pundit