Man wanted for choking girlfriend, setting clothes on fire in living room

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Jessie Leon Bryant, 32, is charged with assaulting Alicia Davis and arson of a building after allegedly choking his longtime live-in girlfriend and then lighting a bundle of clothes on fire in the house in which they lived. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

According to court documents, on Friday around 10:30 a.m., the Northwest Fire Department responded to investigate a residential fire at 15703 Western Skies Drive in northwest Houston. After using an accelerant-detection canine, investigators determined the fire had been started by using an ignitable liquid and a bundle of clothes in the living room. They said the clothes were destroyed and the surrounding area in the living room was moderately damaged.

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According to Davis' statement, she and Bryant had been in a dating relationship and living together for eight years.

She said she got into a verbal argument with Bryant on Friday that escalated into a physical confrontation.

Davis said Bryant charged her and pushed her into a chair. She said he then threw the chair into the wall and pushed his knee into her chest. She said when she fell, she hit her head on the counter behind the chair.

File: Jessie Bryant Wanted Poster

Davis said Bryant then began to choke her to the point at which she could not breathe. She swung her arms until he let go and got off her.

Then, she said, Bryant started throwing clothes from the bedroom floor onto the living room floor. He also threw her daughter's clothes from the hallway onto the floor. She said he told her he was going to burn their clothes.

Davis said Bryant began pouring lighter fluid on both piles of clothes and lit them with a lighter.

Davis said she tried to put out the fire, but it quickly got out of control, forcing her to leave the home.

The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office is asking for the public’s help with any information on Bryant's location. He has open warrants for his arrest. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect in this case. To report a tip, call (713) 222-TIPS (8477), submit a tip online here, or text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.