Pacemaker data lead to arson charges for Ohio man

Pacemaker data reportedly led to arson and fraud charges for an Ohio man accused of torching his home for the insurance money.

Ross Compton of Middletown, Ohio, faces felony counts of aggravated arson and insurance fraud for the Sept. 19 fire at his home, which allegedly caused about $400,000 in damages and destroyed the 2,000-square-foot house, according to news reports.

Compton, who has an implanted artificial heart, told a 911 dispatcher that, “I grabbed a bunch of stuff, threw it out the window.” He later told police that he packed his suitcases and pitched them out of his bedroom window after breaking the glass with his cane, according to the Hamilton Journal-News and WLWT News.

Citing statements that were “inconsistent” with the evidence – Compton was allegedly found with gasoline on his shirt, pants and shoes and fire investigator allegedly found several ignition points outside his house – police used a search warrant to gather the data from Compton’s cardiac device, according to the reports.

A cardiologist found it “highly improbable Mr. Compton would have been able to collect, pack and remove the number of items from the house, exit his bedroom window and carry numerous large and heavy items to the front of his residence during the short period of time he has indicated due to his medical conditions,” according to court documents.

The pacemaker data amounted to “one of the key pieces of evidence that allowed us to charge him,” Lt. Jimmy Cunningham told the TV channel.

“This investigation has gone way out of control,” Compton told WLWT in a phone interview, calling the situation “utterly insane.”

“I had no motive whatsoever to burn down my house,” he said.

Compton is slated for arraignment in February.

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