Cantonment Man Charged With Arson For Torching His Own Jeep

February 20, 2026

A Cantonment man has been charged with arson after allegedly torching his vehicle last Sunday morning.

As we previously reported, a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo was discovered burning with no one around alongside Neal Road near Pine Top Lane shortly before 9:30 a.m.

Now, Jerry Kent Calvert, 24, has been charged with felony arson in connection with the fire that destroyed his vehicle.

After the fire, deputies attempted to contact Calvert and his relatives, noting that he would not answer his phone for anyone. His parents later located him walking near the Escambia County Road Department’s Camp 5, and deputies responded.

He stated that the vehicle ran out of gas and he parked on the side of the Road at Pine Top Lane and Neal Road, an arrest report states.

His exact statement to deputies was redacted from the report, but the report states it was “because he was tired of his grandmother yelling at he and his uncle and kicking them out of the house.”

A Florida State Fire Marshal detective told deputies that burn patterns indicated that the fire was not accidental.

NorthEscambia photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “Cantonment Man Charged With Arson For Torching His Own Jeep”

  1. Voices in Pensacola on February 22nd, 2026 11:27 am

    Yes, arson can be charged. Lighting a fire on public property or someone else’s property. Unnecessarily placing fire fighters at risk. Possibly putting the community at risk of spreading fire. Risk of fuel spill to groundwater/surface water.

    Totally ridiculous and irresponsible behavior.

  2. Jason on February 21st, 2026 7:13 pm

    If he owns it, is he not allowed to burn it, as long as he’s not trying to get insurance money?

  3. coyote on February 20th, 2026 4:26 pm

    Good thing he didn’t overreact ;)





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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News