Man Arrested After Trying To Start Fire At Oklahoma County Jail

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma County Sheriff's deputies said a man who became angry because he couldn't bring his cell phone into the detention center tried to start a fire in the building.

Joshua Kiehl attempted to walk into the Oklahoma County Detention Center Dec. 29. The 23-year-old was told he could not enter the facility with his cell phone. Deputies said that's when Kiehl walked to the building's exit area, pulled out a lighter and tried to set fire to several papers in a newspaper rack.

A deputy at the front desk stopped Kiehl from starting the fire, and asked him to leave the property. When Kiehl refused, a second deputy approached him and also tried to make Kiehl go outside. The deputies said instead of leaving, Kiehl walked back into the lobby.

The deputies attempted to arrest Kiehl, but he became physically violent. The deputies said he struck one of the law enforcement officers in the chest and arms. It took several deputies and detention officers to subdue Kiehl and put him in handcuffs.

Kiehl was arrested on complaints of first-degree attempted arson, resisting arrest, and assault and battery upon a police officer. He is being held on $20,000 bond.