Jefferson City man receives probation for starting fire, fake threat

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man convicted of starting a fire and calling in a fake threat will receive probation.

Judge Cotton Walker sentenced Hankel Jones on Monday to 5 years of supervised probation for second-degree arson. According to public court records, Jones agreed to plead guilty to the charge as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

The Cole County Prosecutor's Office agreed to drop a charge of first-degree making a terroristic threat. Jones also must follow a doctor's orders for treatment.

Jefferson City police officers arrested Jones on Oct. 7, 2021, after he started the fire in his apartment. He also called in an active shooter threat at the 10/12 Jackson Street Housing Complex.

The complex is home to a number of elderly and disabled residents.