Pot Grow Scene Of Arson

Calaveras County Sheriff's Office

Murphy’s, CA – An argument over electrical costs related to a marijuana grow ends with a tenant accused of setting an RV ablaze in Murphys.

The incident was initially reported as a vehicle fire in the 2000 block of Nickerson Lane at around 3:24 a.m. Thursday.  When Calaveras County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on scene they found an RV fully engulfed in flames. While questioning witnesses, deputies discovered that an argument had taken place between the tenant, Quinn Morgan Shields, 45, from Rail Road Flat, and his landlord. The confrontation centered on an unpaid electric bill for a registered marijuana grow on the property and ended with the landlord evicting Shields.  Additionally, witnesses told deputies they saw Shields running from the trailer just after the fire broke out.

Deputies arrested Shields for arson of the motorhome. The RV is described as a custom built 1949 Chevrolet valued at an estimate $30,000. Sheriff’s officials say it was a total loss.