Serial arsonist Thomas Sweatt

[djamieson]

I'm not an investigator--just a journalist. I thought some folks on this board might be interested to see a story I wrote about D.C.'s serial arsonist, Thomas Sweatt, who's serving two life sentences. The story is about what motivated him to set over 300 fires and kill at least four people over a 25-year period. (His motives were largely sexual.) If interested, it can be read here:

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=1641

Sorry to intrude, especially when I'm just pimping my own story, but I thought arson investigators might like to read it.

Best,

Dave Jamieson
Washington, DC

[sepalmer]

Good Story

Thanks

[1forbc]

Sadly that was very interesting. The only way to get the information you need from someone like this, is to unfortunately give them the attention they crave.

[Uptownking]

I use to work with Tom 4 about a year.

[bulldog100]

You read about these people and go to fires that they have caused, but, until I read this I had no real understanding of what could be going on in their mind.

Thanks


Pete

[Animosity2k1]

Just read the whole thing I find it incredible that he was accountable for more then 300 fires and had gone decades without being caught. One thing I was a little confused on at the end was Roy Piccott. So if I understand correctly, the two people he went to see were the son and daughter of Roy Piccott? So instead of taking just a mother he took a mother and a father? Unreal.

[CrossBro1]

What a story. It is hard to believe that there are people like this walking around out there. This was a great insight into there minds.

[pkfd7505]

All I can say is...Wow. Thanks for sharing the story.

[Dickey]

All I can say is wow too. Kinda speechless really.

Very good story, thanks for sharing.


How would you like to be that investigator who said "carelessly discarded cigarette...?"

[Dickey]

All I can say is wow too. Kinda speechless really.

Very good story, thanks for sharing.


How would you like to be that investigator who said "carelessly discarded cigarette...?"

(that won't look good on Dateline!!)

[GelorupRookie]

Wow dont know what to say....
You just never know whats going on with people...

[bvfd137079]

good story that shows how far we have come on the investigation end. its just sad that so many people were hurt and had to die before this monster was put down

[arsoneater]

My first post....Hopefully of many.

I just started reading this story in the latest addition of I.A.A.I. magazine.
Very interesting. I have been fielding numerous questions about the mindset of arsonists from the public, as well as people from within my department, recently due to the major fires in So Cal. Fortunately the jurisdiction I work in has been spared thus far from any major fires this year. This article gives me more answers to these questions and gives me someone else to draw from other than John Orr.

Congrats on a great story....I look forward to reading the rest.

Cheers,
MP