McKeesport, PA (PPP)— A woman, identified as Leona L. Morris, has been taken into custody by the McKeesport Police Department following an incident involving arson, burglary, and various other charges.

According to a criminal complaint filed in district court, the arrest occurred on March 29, 2023, after officers responded to reports of a fire at a residence. The incident unfolded in the early morning hours, causing alarm and concern among residents.

Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement discovered a heated altercation involving a group of individuals outside the residence. Smoke was emanating from a smoldering garbage can located perilously close to the porch. The homeowner alleged that Morris was responsible for igniting the fire. Without resistance, Morris was apprehended and placed in a patrol vehicle, according to the complaint.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the events leading up to the arson unfolded as a result of a dispute between Morris and her former partner. Despite warnings to stay away from the premises, Morris gained unauthorized entry armed with a broken glass bottle, threatening both the former partner and another individual present at the residence.

The affidavit further describes Morris’s threats to involve others in an act of violence against the property. After being disarmed and escorted outside, Morris reportedly doused the porch, sidewalk, and a nearby garbage can with lighter fluid before setting it ablaze. Prompt action from individuals inside the residence prevented the flames from spreading further, according to the complaint.

Name: Leona L. Morris
Gender: Female
Age: 30

Agency: McKeesport Police Department

Court: Magisterial District Court 05-2-13
Docket Number: MJ-05213-CR-0000159-2023
Date Filed: March 29, 2023

Bail: $25,000
Confinement: Allegheny County Jail
Confinement Reason: Unable to post bail.

Criminal Charges

1. Aggravated arson (Felony 1)
2. Arson – endangering persons (Felony 1)
3. Burglary (Felony 1)
4. Arson – endangering property (Felony 2)
5. Terroristic Threats (Misdemeanor 1)
6. Terroristic Threats (Misdemeanor 1)
7. Stalking (Misdemeanor 1)
8. Simple assault (Misdemeanor 2)
9. Simple assault (Misdemeanor 2)
10. Recklessly endangering another person (Misdemeanor 2)
11. Recklessly endangering another person (Misdemeanor 2)
12. Harassment (Misdemeanor 3)

Affidavit of Probable Cause

Your Affiant, Officer Lilja Tubin, a Police Officer for the City of McKeesport, believes the following to be true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

On 29 March 2023 at 0252 hours, Officers were dispatched to ████████████ for the report of a fire on the side of a house. The McKeesport Fire Department was also dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, I observed a group of people arguing outside of the residence. I also observed smoke and a garbage can smoldering nest to the alley side of the residence. The garbage can was only a foot or two from the porch. I was then informed by the resident, ███████, that Leona Morris started the fire. I began placing cuffs on Morris when she yelled to ███████, “call my mom and tell her I set the garbage on fire.” Morris was placed into custody without incident and placed into my patrol vehicle. While placing her into my patrol vehicle, Morris stated, “what I did was wrong and I know that.”

███████ stated they he had a few friends over including a female of which Morris does not like. Morris knew the female was there as ███████ told Morris via phone. ███████ was well told Morris not to come to the residence. ███████ and Morris were once in a relationship and have a child together. (Morris) arrived at the location and entered the front unlocked door armed with a broken glass bottle. Morris began to threaten to kill ███████ as well as his female friend, identified as ███████. Morris was also said to have threatened to have her brothers come “shoot up the house.” Another male in the residence disarmed Morris of the bottle and forced her outside where they knocked over a grill of which was on th porch. Morris then picked up a bottle of lighter fluid and began dousing the porch, ███████, the sidewalk and the garbage can. Morris then lit the garbage can on fire. People inside of the residence put out the flames with water. The male and other people in the residence did not wish to be involved in filing charges.

I then spoke to ███████. ███████ confirmed what ███████ told me. ███████ also stated that Morris is mad at her for dating ███████ and has been stalking/harassing her. Several incidents have transpired over the past year including a recent incident on 22 March 2023 (reference #2303891) where Morris was said to have came to the residence of ███████ and pepper sprayed her in the face.

███████ did inform me that there was cell phone video of the incident. ███████ did show me the video and I observed Morris dousing the sidewalk with lighter fluid. I did not watch the entire video on scene but did request that ███████ email it to me in my presence, but it was not in my inbox when I got to the station. I attempted to call ███████ but was not able to make contact. He also had previously advised me that he had a Ring doorbell and he would send that video to me as well. I too had not received that email as of the time of this report.

Morris was transported to the station. While en route, Morris openly stated, “I only set the things I bought him on fire.” Once at the station, Morris advised me that her ankle was hurting. Warden Officer Durante observed the right ankle of Morris to appear swollen. Sgt. Byers was notified and Morris was transported to UPMC McKeesport by Officer Easter for evaluation. Morris was cleared by the hospital shortly after.

I am requesting that Leona Morris be charged with the charges listed in this complaint.