House Fire Determined to be Arson, Suspect Arrested



Eugene, OR – At approximately 1:18 AM on June 20, 2025, Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) responded to a reported house fire in the 1000 block of W 3rd Ave in Eugene. Neighbors reported heavy fire visible from the roof of the structure, with concerns about possible victims inside. ESF Engine 2 from the Whiteaker station arrived as part of a full fire response, including four engines, one ladder truck, and two chiefs.

UPDATE: Here is a video of the inside of the house
UPDATE: Here is the GoFundMe to help Chris rebuild his life

Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire involvement and immediately initiated fire attack operations. Tower 2 made entry to search for victims in all accessible areas but faced high heat and zero visibility. Due to the intensity of the fire, crews were forced to withdraw and apply water from the exterior using Engine 2’s deck gun. After knocking down the bulk of the fire, crews re-entered to complete the search for potential victims. An additional engine, truck, and Support 1 were called to assist with extended operations. No human or animal victims were found, and the fire was successfully extinguished.

No injuries were reported. The ESF Fire Marshals, in collaboration with Eugene Police, investigated the fire and determined it was intentionally set. The fire has been classified as arson.

Eugene Police have arrested 40-year-old Leticia Datu-Strong in connection with the incident. She faces one count of Arson in the First Degree, a Measure 11 felony, and three counts of Theft in the First Degree, also felonies. 

Under Oregon's Measure 11, a conviction for Arson in the First Degree (ORS 164.325) carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years and 6 months (90 months) in prison. If convicted, the individual must serve the entire sentence, with no eligibility for early release, parole, or reductions for good behavior, as stipulated by ORS 137.700. The only deduction from this term is for time already served in county lock-up prior to sentencing. This ensures that the full duration of the 90-month sentence, less pre-sentence county incarceration, is served in a state prison, reflecting Measure 11’s stringent approach to serious violent crimes.

An anonymous source reports that Leticia Datu-Strong, AKA Rickie Christina Potts, allegedly stole dogs from the residence before setting the house on fire. Her last few Facebook entries appear to lend to this anonymous report. 

Information sourced from publicly available online records, which may not be fully verified, indicates that she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Oregon. These records also suggest that she was previously employed by CAHOOTS and served as a Mental Health Therapy Technician for the Oregon Department of Human Services. This information pertains to her former name, Rickie Christina Potts, prior to her legal name change in 2024 to Leticia Crystalblue Ocean Datu-Strong.

The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Eugene Police Department.

Information and picture from Eugene Springfield Fire, Lane County Jail Record, and an anonymous source close to the case

Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to provide valuable updates to the local community. He runs the largest crime watch group in Lane County, Lane County Mugshots Uncensored, which currently has over 87,500 members. Support for local journalism is essential, and donations can be made via Venmo to @Michael-Weber-379 (last four digits of phone number: 0825).

You can also follow me on X: https://x.com/MugshotMike541 

You can also find me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mugshotmike541.bsky.social

I have a reddit feed at: https://www.reddit.com/r/LaneCountyMugshots/



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2 Teens and 1 Adult Arrested in Gruesome Oakridge Double Murder Case

Image
UPDATE 5/29/25 Public Facebook posts from direct family, and these two public GoFundMe accounts indicate that Maleah Lewis, age 17, and Noah Wall, age 21 were the victims in this Oakridge double murder case. GoFundMe for Maleah Lewis GoFundMe for Noah Wall UPDATE - 5/22/25 On May 21st morning, Lane County Sheriff’s detectives enlisted the Eugene Police Department to help find murder suspects last seen southeast of Oakridge days earlier. Using their new LPR (License Plate Reader) technology, EPD investigators swiftly located the suspects' vehicle and deployed resources, leading to the rapid apprehension of multiple suspects—a success credited to EPD's LPR technology. OAKRIDGE, Ore. — Lane County Sheriff’s detectives uncovered a chilling scene southeast of Oakridge on May 20, finding a deceased adult male and a juvenile female, both victims of homicidal violence, following a tip. By the next morning, authorities tracked down suspects in a dramatic operation. Eugene Police SWAT s...
Read more

Man Arrested for Abuse of Corpse After Woman’s Body Found in Cottage Grove

Image
COTTAGE GROVE, OR – Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the discovery of a deceased woman found on the sidewalk in front of 711 Highway 99 in Cottage Grove. The body was discovered at approximately 3:50 a.m. on March 28, 2025, prompting an immediate response from Cottage Grove Police. Upon arrival, officers determined the woman was deceased. Initially, her identity was withheld pending notification of next of kin. Based on information gathered independently, it was determined that the deceased had been staying at a local motel before her body was moved. Mark Michael Detering , (possibly related in some form) was arrested yesterday for allegedly removing her body from the motel after her death and abandoning it on the sidewalk where it was later discovered. This information was also gathered independently and has not been confirmed by law enforcement. Detering has been charged with Abuse of a Corpse in the Second Degree (ORS 166.085), a felony offense. His arrest is unde...
Read more

Victim and Suspect Names Released in Royal Ave. Murder Investigation

Image
Eugene, Or. - At 3 a.m. on September 1, Eugene Police received reports of a loud dispute with shots fired outside a home near Royal Avenue and Ruskin Street. Units arrived to find a woman, Haley Leann Mackin , age 23, deceased with gunshot wounds.  Eugene Police Violent Crimes Unit identified Brandon Daniel Smith , age 24, as the suspect. Mackin and Smith had previously been in a relationship. Mackin was recently granted an order of protection against Smith.  Smith was taken into custody by EPD at 5:05 a.m. at  4th Avenue and Pearl Street . Eugene Police thanks Springfield Police and Lane County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during the apprehension. Smith had plead guilty to, and been convicted of, assault in the forth degree misdemeanor DV against Mackin earlier this year on 04/10/2024. Case # 24CR11412. Smith was on probation at the time of this incident. Court records show that Smith is currently appealing this conviction.  Smith is lodged at Lane Cou...
Read more