Cook arrested for arson

Brewton attorney Jonathan Neal Cook has now been charged with arson II for allegedly starting the fire that severely damaged his father's law office in downtown Brewton on Father's Day.

Cook, 54, 705 Garrett St., was also charged with attempted arson I after being accused of trying to burn down his parents' home on Garrett Street the day after the fire damaged Billy Earl Cook's law office located on the downtown boardwalk on St. Joseph Avenue.

Jonathan Cook was issued arrest warrants for the arson II charge last Thursday while sitting in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.

Jonathan Cook was out on $5,000 bond from a June 6, 2018 arrest for DUI and unlawful possession of a controlled substance (suboxone) when he was arrested last Wednesday on the attempted arson of his parents' home. He received a $100,000 bond on the attempted arson charge and his bond was revoked on the DUI and drug charge.

Friday, District Judge Jeff White added another $100,000 bond for the arson charged involving Billy Earl Cook's office. Jonathan Cook remains in the Escambia County Detention Center.

Firefighters and Brewton police were first dispatched to Billy Earl Cook's 123 St. Joseph St., law office at 3:02 p.m. Sunday, June 17.

When the Brewton Fire Department arrived on scene, smoke was pouring from the roof of the building. Brewton Fire Chief Jeff Salter said due to the connection of the buildings on the boardwalk he called for backup from the McCall, Appleton and East Brewton fire departments. He also had Flomaton and Century on standby.

Salter said other than smoke damage to an adjoining building the fire and major damage was contained in Cook's law office.

Statements from the Brewton Police Department note that due to the "suspicious nature" of the fire to Cook's law office "an arson investigation was initiated and the Alabama State Fire Marshal's Office was contacted and asked to inspect the scene."

At about 2:20 a.m. Monday, June 18, Brewton police were dispatched to an attempted arson call at Cook's home on Garrett Street.

That investigation led to Jonathan Cook being arrested last Wednesday on the attempted arson charge. Investigators with the fire marshal's office arrived last Thursday to investigate the fire at Cook's law office and as a result of that investigation Jonathan Cook was arrested that day and charged with arson.

Attempted arson I and arson II are both Class B felonies that carry a prison term of two to 20 years upon conviction.