Teenage Walmart employee in Sparta facing arson charge for costly fire inside store

A 17-year-old part-time Walmart employee is charged with arson and other offenses, for allegedly starting a fire on Tuesday inside the Sparta Walmart store.

The Sparta teen faces four criminal counts, including recklessly endangering safety, and property damage. In Monroe County court Wednesday, prosecutor Crystal Long called for a cash bond.

“The state is requesting a $5000 cash bond,” Long said, “with condition that she have no contact with any Walmart store, that she not possess any torches, matches, lighters, or any other incendiary devices.”

The order to stay away from Walmart applies to any store within Monroe County. The teen must also be equipped with a GPS tracking device.

The suspect did post bond. She’s a student at Sparta High School.

The Tuesday store fire reportedly caused around $7.5 million in property loss, but no injuries. That figure came out immediately, though why or how the fire was started is still unclear.

Her next court hearing on Jan. 29.