A man wanted for allegedly pouring gasoline on his girlfriend and threatening to set her on fire was taken into custody Friday afternoon after barricading himself inside a gasoline-soaked mobile home and igniting a fire during a tense standoff with law enforcement.
On June 6, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Jasper County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at 34523 South Highway 96 in Buna to serve an Aggravated Assault warrant on 34-year-old Charles Benjamin Franklin IV. Upon arrival, Franklin barricaded himself inside the residence, doused himself and the interior with gasoline, and began behaving irrationally.
Negotiators attempted to de-escalate the situation, but communication deteriorated as Franklin remained hostile. When entry was made by deputies and Texas State Troopers, Franklin resisted and ignited a fire in the living room. The fire was quickly extinguished, and Franklin was taken into custody.
He sustained a minor cut to his forehead and was treated at the scene. No law enforcement officers or first responders were injured. Franklin was transported to the Jasper County Jail. Additional charges are pending.
The warrant originated from an incident on June 3, when Franklin allegedly threatened his girlfriend with fire after dousing her in gasoline.
Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard thanked assisting law enforcement agencies and the Buna Volunteer Fire Department for their support and noted his relief that no serious injuries occurred.
