Man convicted of setting fire to girlfriend’s home killing pets

SUMMERVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) – A jury in Summerville has found 38 year old Robert Anthony Swearinger guilty of arson, family violence and cruelty to animals.

It took them just 20 minutes of deliberation.

He was living with his girlfriend last August in the basement of her father and grandmother.

Prosecutors say he hit the girlfriend and her father demanded that he leave the home.

They say he set the fire in the basement before leaving.

The home was destroyed by the fire.

The residents escaped, but a dog and cat were killed.

Swearinger will be sentenced next week.

“We cannot replace everything this family lost. I wish we could. What we can do though, is work together as a community of law enforcement professionals to seek justice for this family and accountability for this defendant,” said DA Chris Arnt.

“I believe anyone who maliciously burns down someone’s home in an attempt to harm people and animals should be behind bars. My team will not tolerate those actions in our community.”