Husband Sentenced to Twenty Years after Setting Fire to Wife’s Home

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Domestic Violence Unit obtained a twenty-year sentence against a man who started four fires in his wife’s home after he had been ordered to have no contact with her following a separate domestic incident.  Roderick Jermaine McAlpin, 43, was convicted of Arson, Vandalism over $60,000, and Aggravated Criminal Trespass.  At a sentencing hearing today, Judge Scott Green ordered McAlpin to serve twenty years in the Tennessee Department of Correction.

In a two-day trial in June, Assistant District Attorney Joe Welker and Acting Assistant District Attorney Zac Sharp explained to the jury that on July 7, 2025, McAlpin had been ordered to stay away from his wife after a previous domestic assault, but he crawled into her house through a bedroom window while she was away.  While inside the residence, McAlpin started four separate fires in three bedrooms in the home.  The Knoxville Fire Department responded and was able to eventually put out the fire.  Arson investigators noted significant structural damage to the residence causing approximately $137,000 in damage.  Specially trained canines were utilized to identify accelerants used by McAlpin to set the fire on three mattresses and a bedroom closet.

“Thanks to the expertise of our arson investigators, we were able to hold this offender accountable,” said DA Allen.

In addition to a Domestic Assault conviction, McAlpin is a Multiple Offender because of two prior drug dealing convictions.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Cindy Vanosdale and Legal Secretary Mary Loveless aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.