Authorities Charge Benson Man In Mailbox Arson Case

BENSON — A Benson man with a prior criminal record is facing new charges after authorities say he randomly set fire to a neighbor’s mailbox.

Isidoro Flores Molina, 44, of Benson-Hardee Road, was arrested early Jan. 15 by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. He is charged with felony burning of personal property and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to deputies, the incident occurred around 9:12 p.m. Jan. 14 on Bailey’s Crossroads Road. Investigators allege Molina followed a 73-year-old man in the neighborhood to the victim’s home, stopped his vehicle nearby, removed a gas can, poured gasoline on the victim’s mailbox and mailbox post, and set it on fire before driving away.

The victim told deputies he did not know the suspect personally but recognized him as someone who lived in the area.

Johnston County deputies began searching for Molina following the report. Benson police located him early the next morning and detained him until deputies arrived.

During a search of Molina’s vehicle, officers reported finding two gas cans and glass smoking pipes.

Court records show Molina has faced multiple charges over the past year. In May 2025, he was charged with simple assault and injury to property; those misdemeanor charges were dismissed in July 2025. He was arrested again in July 2025 on charges of assault on a female and misdemeanor domestic violence, which were dismissed the following month.

In September 2025, Molina was charged with driving while license revoked. That charge was dismissed in December 2025, according to court records.

Following his Jan. 15 arrest, Molina was also served with a warrant for felony probation violation related to a prior conviction for burning personal property. As part of that sentence, he had been placed on probation, ordered to pay restitution, prohibited from using illegal drugs, and placed on electronic house arrest with a curfew.

Court records indicate Molina failed to make restitution payments, tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamines on Nov. 24, 2025, and violated the terms of his house arrest and curfew more than a dozen times.

Molina was confined in the Johnston County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond for the felony burning charge, a $1,000 bond for possession of drug paraphernalia, and a $1,000 bond for the probation violation.