A Newton County man who recently bonded out on arson and criminal mischief charges is back in custody, facing new allegations of stalking, terroristic threatening, and other offenses, according to Sheriff Glenn Wheeler.
The was contacted on July 10 after a vacationing family reported they had been threatened as they returned to their rented cabin. The family, which included two young children, told authorities that a man stopped them as they arrived at the property. The individual, later identified as Nathan Stuart, allegedly ordered them to leave and made severe threats, including a reference to burning the cabin, officials said. Property damage at the cabin was also reported.
Earlier that same morning, the Harrison Police Department alerted Newton County officials that Stuart was a suspect in a criminal mischief case involving a truck in Harrison that had been spray-painted with letters matching a similar vandalism incident in Newton County. Sheriff Wheeler noted that the vandalism appeared linked to other unusual activity reported earlier this month. On July 4, powdered lime markings had been discovered outside a home near Driveway Road in Newton County. Investigators believe the markings, as well as the truck vandalism, were connected to Stuart, who had been spotted setting fire to two houses that day. Stuart was arrested for arson and other offenses tied to those fires but had posted bond shortly afterward.
Newton County deputies reportedly encountered Stuart on July 10 to question him about the spray-paint incidents. While Stuart allegedly admitted to vandalizing the trucks, the misdemeanor nature of the charges at that time meant an immediate arrest could not be made. Officers initiated the process of securing warrants, but Stuart left the area before further action could be taken, according to the sheriff’s office.
Later that day, after Stuart allegedly threatened the vacationing family—a felony offense—the collaborated with the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force to locate him. Investigators used the Flock license plate reader system to track Stuart’s movements, discovering he had left Newton County and driven into a neighboring jurisdiction. The system later alerted law enforcement when Stuart’s vehicle returned to the area.
Law enforcement intercepted Stuart’s vehicle as it approached the direction of the cabin he had allegedly threatened to burn. Officers reportedly observed nine bottles of charcoal lighter fluid in plain view in the bed of the truck. According to the sheriff’s office, Stuart had just purchased the items from a local business.
Affidavits were filed, and Stuart was arrested on multiple charges. He faces allegations of stalking, a Class C felony; two counts of first-degree criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor; terroristic threatening, a Class D felony; and two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor.
Stuart was booked into the Newton County Jail, and his bonds were set at $500,000 by a judge.