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Wow! Life Sentences handed down for East TX Church Arsonsist in Tyler TX courts this morning

January 10th, 2011

Tyland Baptist Church ArsonThis morning Monday January 10 2011 the 114th Court precised over by Judge Kennedy handed down a total of 7 life sentences between the two East Texas arsonists, Jason Bourque and Daniel McAllister.

Jason and Daniel pleaded guilty to these arson charges back in December of 2010 but sentencing was carried out today.

The state of Texas gave Bourque 5 life sentences and McAllister was given 2 life sentences as well as two 20 year sentences in his part in burning down several East Texas churches.

This appears to be a plea agreement as Daniel and Jason waived their right to appeal their sentencing.

Several of the writers of Tyler TX Directory have family connections or previously attended Tyland Baptist Church which was one of the churches that was burned down by the arsonists.

Because of the family connection we have been following this story pretty close.

Tyland Baptist Church was the last church to rebuild after the fire destruction. For about a year Tyland Baptist church were generously allowed to worship at Willowbrook Baptist Church across the street from Willowbrook country club. Willowbrook Baptist Church 3100 W. Erwin St. Tyler, TX 75702

The life sentences are quite severe in my opinion but at the same time it is a sticky situation because if a harsh judgment wasn’t enforced this type of thing could happen again as more loony kids go on a night of arson pranks.

I feel very sorry for these two because that long in prison is something I don’t wish on anyone and I myself warned them on this site in an open appeal to stop because they would be caught especially if they continued but they didn’t listen to me or anyone else.

You can read more on this story here: KETK: Church arsonists sentenced today

Arsonist Who Set Tyler Texas Police Car on Fire

December 12th, 2010

Arsonist Tyler Texas Police Car FireLast year we had some arsonists in Tyler who burned down some churches. Just a few days ago however a Gothic looking girl from what I can make out in the mug shot climbed over the secure wall fence area of the Tyler police department squad car area and doused a police car in fuel and lit it on fire.

It is a bizarre story indeed but at this time we must say that these are only alleged indictments against this young lady. This girl does seem to look a little mischievous with the died black hair, heavy eyeliner, and is also from the Lindale area as were those church fire arsonsist from last year (not saying she had anything to do with that).

We hope Payton Herrington was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time so as not to further tarnish the reputation of Lindale Texas. Since Payton was inside the secured fenced in area and the fuel canister can be traced back to her it seems to look like she was caught red handed.

I think she really dressed up for the part in torching a police car as she has a nice red Christmas looking dress on for the occassion and some heavy eye liner. If your going to do some pranks in Tyler Texas setting a police car on fire is not one I would recommend. Also taking down stop signs at intersections and throwing manicans over highway overpasses would be a big no no.

And for those who thought at first glance that this was the Leave Britney alone girl in Tyler I can see why you might think this. They do look a little bit alike.

Through The Flames

October 28th, 2010
Tyland Baptist Church

Tyland Baptist Church

I was six years old when I first walked into Tyland Baptist Church. I use to run through the halls with bows in my hair and frilly dresses. I grew up in that church and loved it dearly. When I walked through the front doors I felt like I was coming home. I learned how to drive a riding lawn mower on the church lawn. I learned the books of the Bible in the small classrooms. I taught my first Sunday school class to a group of third grade girls.

This church not only held my childhood memories, but it also was the location of many of the greatest events of my life. I was baptized there. My high school graduation ceremony was held there. When I was only 19 years old, my father walked me down the aisle and handed me over to my (now) husband.

In January of 2010, Tyland Baptist Church was one victim of many church burnings in East Texas. Jason Bourque and Daniel McAllister are two young college students. In February they were arrested a month later for about a dozen fires. The first church burning was in Athens, Texas. Residents and church members watched helplessly as their beloved building turned into nothing more than ashes and dust. That weekend three churches were burnt to the ground, and the arsonists moved to the Tyler area. Tyland Baptist was their first stop.

My husband, daughters, and I were on our on our way home from a close family member’s funeral when I spotted black smoke pouring out of the trees. I quickly grabbed my phone and called my dad, who is an active member of the church. He was already at the scene, along side of the pastor and many other members. As we pulled up the roads were blocked off by police cars, and firefighters were struggling to put out the massive flames.

My emotions overwhelmed me as I stood across the street looking at the smoking coals. Nothing more than a couple walls stood where a small beautiful building was once located. Tears began to roll down my face as many of my childhood memories became nothing more than blackened dirt.

I wanted nothing more than justice to be done to the people who did these horrible acts. I became very angry and hateful. I did not understand what kind of people could do this. Who could take joy in burning down so many people’s sanctuaries? These churches were places that people came to for some peace in their lives.

When Bourque and McAllister were arrested as the arsonists responsible for the church burnings, I was not only relieved that the burnings would stop, but I was happy that they would receive the justice that they deserved.

A horrible bitterness started growing inside me. I felt so upset that my children will never get to see where mommy and daddy got married. These men destroyed all these churches that people put their money and time into just because of a childish grudge. I became stressed over the situation. I was frustrated all the time. One day I realized something; these people do not know me. They do not know how frustrated I was at them, or how angry I was. This grudge I held against them began to feel like I was drinking poison and was waiting for them to die.

This church building that I grew up in no longer exists. I never again will sit in its pews, nor will my family see where so many important events in my life took place. The thought of this still makes me really sad, but I have forgiven the men that did this, and therefore I am able to move on with my life, and enjoy making more new memories.

Texas Church Arsonists Caught

February 21st, 2010
Texas arsonists mug shots

Texas arsonists mug shots

The arsonists were arrested late last night and this morning in San Antonio and Grand Saline. KLTV will be covering it live at 4:00 pm today. According to Crowley with the ATF, he said, “various techniques led members of a special task force to the men, including DNA evidence and phone tips.”

My questions revolve around if they turned out to be young highschoolers that are either satanists or think they are vampires. One news station said their last names are Jason Borque and Daniel Mcalister. Jason was a student at UT Tyler. Jason Borque Church Arsonist MugshotIf you know these guys feel free to comment below and fill us in. Is he a twilight fan, does he regularly where black trench coats, and other typical ridiculousness.

The ATF has reported that the other arsonists last name is Borque and was arrested in Northern Smith County. They said the sketches are unrelated to the men that were arrested. The sketches were men of interest at the time that could have some kind of link.

These are considered 1st degree felonies and could also be considered aggravated robberies. The ATF said that among some of the evidence they have is DNA evidence.

They may ask the judge to stack sentences. There is only one arrest warrant at this time which is the Dover Baptist Church warrant. They are confident that they will be arrested on other fires. They don’t believe the fire in Temple is related to the East Texas church fires.

According to NBC news one is from Lindale and the other guy is from Van Texas but after more news it appears more like Ben Wheeler Texas. So these guys were right in my backyard the whole time. I kind of suspected they might be from here considering how they were spreading the fires out around this location. They couldn’t resist to go after a couple of the churches in their own towns. If they were trying to throw police off I think it served more as an easy to find trail to their hideout.

Dates and locations of arsons:

  • 01-01-2010, 9:02 AM – Little Hope Baptist Church – Canton, TX;
  • 01-01-2010, 11:05 AM – Faith Baptist Church – Athens, TX;
  • 01-11-2010, 10:40 PM – Grace Community Church, Athens, TX;
  • 01-12-2010, 12:09 AM – Lake Athens Baptist Church, Athens, TX;
  • 01-16-2010, 6:30 PM – Tyland Baptist Church, Tyler, TX;
  • 01-17-2010, 6:33 PM – First Church of Christ Scientist, Tyler, TX;
  • 01-20-2010, 7:37 AM – Prairie Creek Fellowship, Lindale, TX;
  • 02-04-2010, 5:23 AM – Russell Memorial United Methodist Church, Wills Point, TX;
  • 02-08-2010, 8:47 PM – Dover Baptist Church, Tyler, TX;
  • 02-08-2010, 9:44 PM – Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church, Lindale, TX.

In addition to the arsons at the above listed churches, there were attempted break-ins at the following churches:

  • 02-07-2010, 12:19 AM, Heritage Baptist Church, Tyler, TX;
  • 02-08-2010, 9:19 PM, Clearview Church, Tyler, TX;
  • 02-08-2010, 9:39 PM, Pine Brook Baptist Church, Tyler, TX.

Police Scanners Reporting 4 Church Burnings But Only 2 Confirmed

February 8th, 2010

According to police scanners potentially 4 churches in the New Harmony Lindale area are victims of arson tonight. 

Sketches of arson suspects

Sketches of arson suspects

 The church burnings bring the total up to 10 or 11 now in Texas. I live close to Dover Baptist church and drove over there to see for myself. The church was badly burning and there were around 5 – 10 fire trucks and some of the congregation and neighbors. I spoke with one of the members of the church and he told me the church was built in 1865. Clear Springs Missionary Baptist church nearby has also been set on fire by these arsonists.

I pass by this church when I’m driving to Dallas or going to Garden Valley golf club. It is so sad that these arsonists are burning down these old church landmarks.

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More than a few have been called historical landmarks and I doubt it is coincidence that they are going after these old churches. It could be that they are picking churches a little off the radar to avoid getting caught or they want to burn down something memorable. Either way it is really too bad they are still doing this and I hope they are caught soon.

I would like to encourage churches to invest in a night time surveillance camera system. They can be installed on a detached shed facing the church building and video people walking or driving in to vandalize the building. These systems do not cost that much especially when comparing installing one of these systems compared to the man hours it would take to sleep in a car every night outside your church building. I have seen more than a couple churches who have people sleeping in their cars outside their churches which definitely will work as well. The camera system just seems like a stealthy way of catching them in the act and preventing further arsons.

The Church Arson Hotline numbers are: 903-939-6169 or 903-939-6172 and don’t forget there is a $25,000 reward for information leading to their arrest. If you don’t want the money call me so I can collect the money 🙂