Gaston man charged with murder, arson in Cedarcrest Drive fire

Lexington County deputies have arrested Robert Dumon Johnson in connection with the deaths of two people whose bodies were found in a Cedarcrest Drive house damaged by fire early Thursday morning.

Click: Link to original fire report

Johnson fatally stabbed a man and a woman before intentionally setting fire to their home, according to arrest warrants. The 34-year-old suspect is charged with two counts of murder and one count of arson.

Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher identified the victims as Brenda Posey and Harry Smith.

“Based on information we gathered during our investigation, Johnson knew both of the victims and regularly did household jobs and yard work around their home,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “The three of them apparently got into an argument that resulted in a struggle and ended with the stabbings.”

Koon said Johnson was arrested without incident Saturday afternoon in Florence with help from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, the Florence Police Department, the State Law Enforcement Division and the U.S. Marshals Service’s Operation Intercept taskforce. Agents from SLED, the Office of State Fire Marshal, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted in the investigation at the fire scene.

Johnson is being held in the Lexington County Detention Center while he awaits a bond hearing.

According to Koon, Johnson could face additional charges related to this case as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372). Anonymous tips can be submitted atwww.LexingtonSheriff.com.