Manchester, Meriwether County, GA (January 31, 2025) – The GBI has arrested and charged Jimmy Buchanan, age 70, of Manchester, GA, and Wallace Copland, age 62, of Manchester, GA, with two counts of Arson and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Arson.

The arrests follow an investigation that began on Monday, November 6, 2023, when the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire requested GBI assistance with an arson investigation involving a home located in Shilo, Talbot County, GA.

The GBI arrested Buchanan and Copeland without incident on Friday, January 31, 2025, with the assistance of the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, the Manchester Police Department, the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office, and the Harris County Sheriff's Office. They were booked into the Harris County Jail.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Additional charges are expected. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire at 404-656-2070 or the Regional Investigative Office in Columbus at (706) 565-7888. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution.

Contact

Special Agent in Charge Fred Wimberly

[email protected]