Investigation leads to felony arrests and seizure of firearm and suspected methamphetamine.

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, deputies with the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a structure fire in the 300 block of 3^rd Street, Maryneal. It was reported that a barn behind a residence was fully engulfed. At the time of the incident, the property owner was not present and was later accounted for and was unharmed.

During the initial investigation, deputies discovered that Scotty Marsh and Breanna Motes had been inside the barn when it caught fire but had escaped with no injuries. Maryneal Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Sweetwater Volunteer Fire Department and Sweetwater Fire Department personnel worked together and extinguished the flames. It was unfortunate however that the structure could not be saved. Sweetwater Fire Marshal James Smith conducted the investigation, concluding that the fire was accidental.

In a related development, on Saturday, June 28, 2025, deputies returned to the same location following reports of suspicious persons. Upon investigation, they made contact with Breanna Motes and Scotty Marsh, both residents of San Angelo. Their inquiry uncovered a quantity of suspected methamphetamine, a firearm, and outstanding unrelated felony warrants for both individuals.

Mr. Marsh and Ms. Motes were arrested and transported to the Nolan County Jail, where they were booked in on the existing warrants and charged with the felony offenses of possession of a controlled substance and prohibited weapon. This case is currently under investigation by the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and will be submitted to the 32nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for further action.