Winchester's Timothy Raymon Gill facing arson charges again

Months after leaving prison for arson, fire has landed Timothy Raymon Gill in jail again.

According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Gill, 56, of Winchester, Tenn., faces charges of arson, vandalism, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment charges in connection with a July 18 fire at an apartment complex at 116 N. College St. in Winchester. No one was injured, authorities said.

Gill was convicted for arson two decades ago for setting a string of fires in which a Winchester fireman, Lt. Lee Pinnell, was killed. He served prison time for those charges.

Friday, Winchester Fire Chief Gary Greeson said authorities believe Gill is responsible for setting up to 20 fires in his lifetime.

"It seems like every time he gets out, we have this problem," he said. "[Gill] has spend a lot of time in jail for the act of arson."

Greeson suspects serial arsonists experience a rush from the act.

"They get some kind of satisfaction out of it," he said.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday that Gill is still in jail. His bond on each of the four charges is $20,000. His arraignment was Friday in Franklin County General Sessions Court. His next court date is Sept. 26, Deputy Court Clerk Carol Johnson said Friday.

She said Gill's prior offenses will have some impact on his plea and assignment hearing.

"That's going to have an effect on his sentencing. Period." she said. "It follows you."

Greeson said the new charges haven't caught the Winchester Fire Department off-guard.

"It's just a matter of time," he said, until arson cases pop up when Gill is free and on the streets.

"It's frustrating when you know people have worked very hard to put him in jail for the same crime," Greeson said.

He said Gill has a specific method -- almost a calling card -- that made it easier for Winchester fire officials to link him to the July 18 fire. He said it's not unusual for arsonists to stick with a method "that works well for them."

He asked anyone with information about the July 18 fire to contact the Winchester Fire Department.

"Unfortunately, arson is very hard to determine. It's even harder to convict someone," he said.

The Winchester Fire Department can be reached at 931-967-2267.

Contact staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731,

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