Bond denied for man accused of setting Roswell church on fire

The 24-year-old man accused of setting a Roswell church on fire was denied bond Tuesday morning, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.

Juan Carlos Ramirez, of Roswell, was arrested Sunday and charged with first-degree arson and criminal damage to property in the second degree, according to the Roswell fire department. Ramirez is accused of setting the fire that caused extensive damage to the Epiphany Byzantine Catholic church on Old Alabama Road.

The church and about an acre of woods around the building were burning when firefighters were called to the scene around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, according to Paul Piccirilli, spokesman for the Roswell fire department. Ramirez was running around naked and saying he either was Jesus or knew him when officers arrived, according to police.

At a bond hearing Tuesday for Ramirez, his attorney requested a psychological evaluation on Ramirez, a spokeswoman for the Fulton Sheriff’s Office said. The next hearing for Ramirez is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 30.

The Orthodox Church leaders next door to Epiphany Byzantine have agreed to let the congregation use their building until Epiphany is repaired. Epiphany Byzantine sustained moderate fire and smoke damage, Piccirilli said.

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