Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Porche Latrice Jeffery, 40, was arrested on Friday evening on a warrant for allegedly setting the interior of a car on fire in May.

At about 6:40 a.m. on May 8, Jeffery and the victim got into an argument because Jeffery wanted to get her belongings from the victim’s vehicle, but the victim reportedly tried to leave in her vehicle because Jeffery was being aggressive. However, Jeffery reportedly blocked the vehicle from leaving, and the victim retreated to her apartment to call 911.

After the victim left, Jeffery allegedly entered the vehicle without permission to get her belongings and then lit a piece of paper and placed it in the vehicle, igniting the rear passenger seat.

When a Gainesville Police Department officer responded, the victim opened her vehicle and found black smoke pouring out from inside. Gainesville Fire Rescue responded to put out the fire, and an investigator advised that the fire had been set intentionally.

Jeffery, whose listed address is St. Francis House, has been charged with burglary of a vehicle and arson. She has three felony convictions (one violent) and six misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); she has served one state prison sentence (concurrent sentences from two cases) and was released in 2021. Judge Sheree Lancaster set bail at $27,000, the amount recommended by Judge Denise Ferrero in Jeffery’s arrest warrant.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.