Jason Deshon Simmons, 36, is charged with arson. According to court documents, Jason lived with his wife Nancy Simmons and four children at a home in the 15500 block of Tallshadows Drive.
On January 9, Nancy reportedly went for a late dinner with a male friend, returning to home to find her husband in the front yard at 2:30am. The couple argued and entered the house where Nancy reported smelling gas. She told an arson investigator that she discovered all the stove burners were in the 'on' position, and that Jason had a cigarette lighter and threatened to set the house on fire.
Authorities say Nancy ventilated the house, told Jason the marriage was over and he needed to leave. The next day after Nancy and her daughters had left the home, a fire broke out at about 11am.
Arson investigators determined the fire was intentionally set in a bedroom. During the investigation, they found writing in the master bedroom and bathroom. The words 'I'm still pretty' were carved into the bedroom wall with a sharp object. In the bathroom, 'this ones for Nancy and Raymond' was written on the mirror in market.
Witnesses placed Jason near the scene of the fire. In an interview with the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, he reportedly admitted writing the words in the bedroom and bathroom but said that he would not confess to the fire because he would go back to prison.
Jason Simmons has a previous burglary conviction from July 2007. Bail for the arson charge has been set at $30,000.
