WALTERBORO, S.C. (June 23, 2025) – A former Pennsylvania man who set a house fire that left one man seriously injured and killed his pet parrot is headed to prison.
Brian Daniel Jetter, 24, pleaded guilty Monday to arson and ill treatment of animals for his role in a June 19, 2023, house fire in the Green Pond community of Colleton County. He received five years for the parrot’s death and 25 years for the arson charge. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
“This case involved a lot of loss at the hands of a dangerous and vindictive individual,” said Jillian Contestabile of 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case. “While this sentence cannot bring back the victim’s beloved pet and family heirlooms, I believe the sentence is just.”
The man sustained serious injuries after awaking to find his house aflame. The victim was hospitalized following the fire. He tried to rescue his 28-year-old parrot but was overcome by the fire.
Jetter’s General Session’s jury trial was set to begin Monday morning at the Colleton County Courthouse, but he entered a guilty plea before the trial could begin. He received the maximum sentence.
Jetter’s criminal record includes convictions from New Jersey: burglary (2017); resisting arrest and receiving stolen property; theft by unlawful taking (2018); His convictions from Pennsylvania include: receiving stolen property; possession of a controlled substance and theft by unlawful taking (2019).
Circuit Court Judge Courtney Clyburn Pope handed down Monday’s sentence.
Contestabile primarily prosecutes cases in Colleton County. She has been with the Solicitor’s Office since 2022.
