Just a few months following his February release from state prison, Jeremy Morin, 33, is now the primary suspect in an arson case. The Boston resident finished a 10 year stay at state prison for arson. He was deemed a repeat-offender threat, and was required to wear a GPS tracking bracelet as part of his parole. The tracking device shows Morin at the scene of the crime, just a few doors down from the Central Street property he was reportedly living at the time.

 

“It was deliberately set,” Lt. John Friberg said, head of the Springfield Fire Department’s arson squad. “Luckily, the house was vacant. At 2 in the morning, it’s a whole different scenario.” The fire was fueled by trash, and broke out at around 2 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Sunday happens to be the only day Morin was not required to check in with his probation officer, but it’s not likely that much thought went into avoiding getting caught. After all, he was wearing a GPS tracking device, and allegedly set the fire a mere couple houses down from where he was staying. Fortunately for everyone involved, the house was vacant and no one was injured.

 

There has been quite a bit of controversy in the news over the last few years regarding GPS tracking of suspects. In this case, however, it’s clearly a legal use of GPS tracking, and part of Morin’s release from prison. “I think it would be very difficult for his attorney to try and suppress that evidence. The Probation Department is perfectly justified in monitoring where he is. In fact, they’re required to do so. As a prosecutor, I’d be pretty pleased.” Undeniably, the GPS tracking device placed Morin at the scene of the crime when the fire was set. He was arrested the following Tuesday, and is currently being held on $150,000 cash bail.