Man charged with burning ex’s apartment violates probation

MCALLEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — An Edinburg man who attempted to light his ex’s house on fire is behind bars again after violating the terms of his probation, records indicate.

On June 1, 2023, Daniel Jamar Burt was originally placed on community supervision for three years for allegedly lighting his ex-girlfriend’s apartment on fire .

A judge ruled that Burt received deferred adjudication in the case, and rather than serve time in jail, he had to comply with a few conditions.

Authorities are now saying Burt violated multiple conditions of his agreement and have resorted to imposing a new sentence upon him.

On April 22, Burt was arrested on a charge of assault in Hidalgo County. Records show he also failed to report to his supervision officer in February, March, April, and May.

Burt also failed to pay $1,904 in fines, fees and restitution. He also has not completed his 240 hours of community service.

Background

On Sept. 8, 2022, McAllen police were dispatched to an apartment, that belonged to Burt’s ex, regarding a garage fire and “possible arson.”

When the fire trucks arrived, a neighbor said he was coming back home from grocery shopping when he saw a man, identified by police as Daniel Jamar Burt, go into the garage of the victim’s apartment and run back out with a “big stick or bat.” Shortly after, the witness said he saw black smoke coming from the garage and decided to call 911.

Another neighbor who lived behind the woman’s apartment saw the smoke and began trying to put out the flames with his garden hose.

The victim said she was inside with her children and a male friend when the smoke alarms sounded. The door to her garage had fire patterns leading to the apartment, police said.

When the victim and her friend opened the garage door they saw flames and the neighbor who was putting out the fire. The neighbor told the victim that he saw a man run from her apartment.

After describing the man, the victim said she knew it was Burt, her ex-boyfriend. The victim also told McAllen PD that about 45 minutes to an hour before the fire Burt threatened to kill her because of a breakup.

She said she was blocking his calls.

Police were able to obtain video of the incident and identified Burt as the man who lit the garage on fire. He was arrested and booked into Hidalgo County Jail on Sept. 13, 2022, and not released until over a month later on a charge of arson causing bodily injury/death.

An arrest warrant was issued for Burt on June 24.

A hearing will be held on July 16 regarding the motion to adjudicate, records show.

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