A Montana man has been charged with drugging and burning a 62-year-old amputee alive in a mobile home after allegedly making a remark about a teenage girl.
James A. Hosey, 32, was taken into custody on Monday on charges of homicide, arson, theft, and tampering with evidence in connection to the death of Michael Lee Huston, according to Law&Crime.
The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office reported that both they and firefighters responded to the scene at approximately 7 a.m. on Saturday. After extinguishing the fire, firefighters discovered Huston’s body inside.
“Evidence at the scene indicated that foul play was likely a factor in the death,” the sheriff’s office said. “Investigators were able to identify a person of interest, and put out a description of the vehicle that the individual was possibly driving. A Montana Highway Patrol Trooper located the vehicle and individual in Big Horn County, and took him into custody shortly after noon on Saturday.”
Court documents say a gas station attendant tipped off police to Hosey’s involvement in Huston’s death. She told investigators that Hosey, a regular customer at the station, had told her he tied someone up and set him on fire.
Hosey also allegedly called a friend in Michigan and admitted killing Huston over remarks the victim reportedly made about a 13-year-old girl.
“So I went over and got him high, on the brink of passing out, tied him up, beat his ass and poured gas in the house and set fire to him,” Hosey told the friend,the court documents say.
