A Farmington man is facing two felony charges after reportedly starting a fire that caused $3,000 damage to a motel room.
Kelly Janssen, 43, is charged with felony arson and felony possession of a controlled substance.
Janssen called Farmington Police at 11:14 p.m. May 30, and told police his room at the Encore Motel, 1900 East Main St., was on fire.
This was the fourth time in less than 24 hours that Janssen had contacted police, claiming people were trying to “kill him,” court records state.
The first call came on May 29 from the Roadway Inn. Janssen reported two people were “attempting to break into his room,” according to the statement of probable cause.
Janssen reportedly called police again at 9:05 p.m. May 30 and stated he was at Wendy’s, next to the Encore Motel. He said, “people were screaming at him and threatening to kill him,” court documents state.
At 10:28 p.m. Janssen called a third time from Arby’s and stated, “They’re getting closer,” court records state.
Two hours later the call came in from the Encore, and Janssen reportedly told police that “he caused the fire because someone was trying to get into his room” and trying to kill him, according to the statement of probable cause.
When police arrived at the Encore, Janssen appeared to have difficulty breathing from smoke inhalation and had to be transferred to San Juan Regional Medical Center for treatment, according to the statement of probable cause.
In the room, police found “burned sheets and large amounts of smoke and fire damage,” court records state.
Police found no evidence to back up any of Janssen’s claims, according to reports.
Once Janssen was cleared from the hospital, police attempted to arrest him, but he reportedly resisted, saying he didn’t feel safe at the jail, court records state.
When police were able to secure Janssen and escort him out of the hospital.
At the jail during booking, officers located methamphetamine in Janssen’s left front pocket, as well as three glass pipes in his backpack.
A preliminary examination of Janssen’s charges is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. June 10 in Farmington Magistrate Court.