Royston Man Charged in Law Firm Fire

A Royston man is behind bars in the Franklin County Detention Center charged with arson and burglary in connection with the fire that destroyed the offices of a Royston law firm.

Late Wednesday, Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas announced the arrest of Michael Dale Langford, age unknown, of Royston.  The blaze at the Davison & Davison law firm on SR17 Royston broke out in the early  morning hours of December 17.  Firefighters were able to put the fire out within a couple of hours, but the building and its contents were a total loss.

Thomas said while firefighters were working to put out the blaze, they found evidence that a burglary had occurred before the fire was set.

Thomas said Langford was already wanted in connection with an incident in Canon the day before.

“The arrest of Michael Dale Langford on the morning of December 17 when he was encountered by a Royston patrol officer walking in the downtown area,” Thomas said. “The officer arrested Langford on possession of marijuana and harrassing phone calls.  An investigation led him being charged with an incident the day before in Canon and he was also charged with criminal tresspass.” 

Thomas said in addition to his investigators, detectives with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms were also called in.

“The arson and burglary investigation continued and authorities conducted numerous interviews and collected evidence over the course of two months,” Thomas said. “In late January, authorities were able to link Langford to the arson and burglary through forensic testing by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Division of Forensic Science.” 

Thomas said he was able to obtain a warrant Wednesday and Langford was charged with arson and burglary.  A bond hearing on those charges has not yet been set.

Langford is also charged with criminal trespass, possession of marijuana and harassing phone calls from the December 16 incident.  He was denied bond on those charges and remains in the Franklin County Detention Center.