On January 9, 2023, Darrell A. Segraves (28 years of age) was indicted by a Loudoun County Circuit Court Grand Jury for one felony count of arson of an occupied dwelling (§18.2-77). On November 4, 2017, occupants of a single-family dwelling in the 17,000 block of Tedler Circle in Round Hill, dialed 911 reporting an odor of gasoline. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue units arrived on scene and found remains of a fire and immediately requested the Fire Marshal’s Office to respond and investigate.
Fire Marshal investigators determined the fire was intentionally set and began processing the scene for evidence of the crime. While performing a canvass search and utilizing Loudoun’s accelerant detection canine, gasoline contaminated latex gloves with a cardboard matchbox were located, collected, and subsequently examined by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Forensic Science. At the time of evidence submission, no matching DNA was on file.
As new DNA enters the database, forensic staff can compare new samples against previously submitted records to check for matches using the new information. On September 16, 2022, investigators were notified by the Virginia Department of Forensic Science that DNA collected from the latex gloves matched Darrell Segraves. After obtaining a search warrant, a DNA sample was collected from Mr. Segraves and re-tested. The DNA samples were a match, confirming Mr. Segraves alleged involvement in setting the 2017 fire.
The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office wishes to thank the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Forensic Science, the City of Norfolk Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division, and the Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney for their efforts during this joint investigation to not only identify the suspect, but providing resources needed to assist in charging for this crime.
Mr. Segraves is currently being held at the Norfolk City, Virginia, Jail on an unrelated arson charge of burning an occupied dwelling.