$1M bond set for suspect accused of setting deputy on fire

RAVENNA, Ohio – A judge has set a $1 million bond for a man charged with setting an Ohio sheriff’s deputy on fire, causing serious burns when the deputy and other officers tried to arrest him on a felony warrant.

Forty-five-year-old Jay Brannon appeared in court Friday afternoon in Ravenna after being charged with attempted aggravated murder and aggravated arson.

The Record-Courier reports Portage County Sheriff David Doak says Sgt. James Acklin suffered burns to 20 per cent of his body when Brannon ignited a container of flammable liquid and threw it at him. That happened Thursday in a garage in Rootstown Township, 55 miles (90 kilometres) south of Cleveland.

A message seeking comment was left with Brannon’s attorney.

Two deputies were treated for smoke inhalation.

Doak says Acklin is just 70 days from retiring.