Arrest Made in Calhoun Residential Fire and Theft

GA Insurance Press Releases

Filed February 11th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced the arrest of Jorge Matilde Gonzalez in connection with a residential fire and cash theft in Calhoun, Georgia. The investigation involved multiple agencies and resulted in charges including Arson and Burglary.

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What changed

The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, led by Commissioner John F. King, has announced the arrest of Jorge Matilde Gonzalez for his alleged involvement in a residential fire and subsequent cash theft in Calhoun, Georgia. The incident, which occurred on December 9, 2025, caused moderate damage to an apartment. Investigators determined the fire was incendiary, and a significant sum of cash was reported missing from a safe. Evidence, including cell phone records, placed Gonzalez at the scene.

Gonzalez faces multiple charges, including Arson, Criminal Damage to Property, Burglary, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. This enforcement action highlights the critical role of the Commissioner's office in investigating and prosecuting insurance fraud and related crimes. Regulated entities and law enforcement partners should note the inter-agency cooperation involved in this successful apprehension and the serious nature of the charges.

What to do next

Review internal procedures for reporting suspicious fires and potential insurance fraud.
Ensure all inter-agency cooperation protocols are up-to-date with local law enforcement and fire departments.

Penalties

Faces multiple charges, including but not limited to, Arson, Criminal Damage to Property, Burglary, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Source document (simplified)

ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that Jorge Matilde Gonzalez, 35, of Cartersville, Georgia, has been arrested in connection with a residential fire in Calhoun, Georgia.

On December 9, 2025, investigators from the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner assisted with a fire investigation at 704 Greenbriar Circle, Calhoun, Gordon County. The blaze occurred in an occupied multifamily apartment building.

The fire caused moderate damage to a second-floor bedroom, originating inside a closet and spreading throughout the room. After a detailed fire scene examination, the incident was ruled incendiary. The victim also reported a large sum of cash missing from a safe located in the closet. Mr. Gonzalez was identified as a suspect early in the investigation, and a search warrant for cell phone records, combined with other evidence, proved his presence at the scene of the crime.

On February 5, 2026, investigators from the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, working alongside the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office CID and SWAT, executed a search warrant at Gonzalez’s residence without incident. Gonzalez was arrested and transported to the Bartow County Jail. The suspect faces multiple charges, including but not limited to, Arson, Criminal Damage to Property, and Burglary, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

This investigation is ongoing and is being conducted in partnership with the Calhoun Fire Department and the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office.

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The mission of the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is to protect Georgia families by providing access to vital insurance products and safe buildings through fair regulation that creates economic opportunities for all Georgians.

[email protected] Primary (470) 551-6999