COCKE COUNTY – A joint investigation has led to the indictment of a Newport woman on attempted arson charges.

In January 2017, at the request of 4th District Attorney General James Dunn, TBI Special Agents joined Tennessee Fire Investigative Services, the Newport Police Department, and the Newport Fire Department in investigating an attempted arson that occurred at Brandywine Creek Restaurant located along West Highway 25/70 in Newport. During the course of the investigation, authorities determined that Geraldine Ridens (DOB 11/19/56), the owner of the restaurant, was the individual responsible for attempting to start the fire.

This week, the Cocke County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Geraldine Ridens with one count of Attempted Arson and one count of Reckless Endangerment. Today, she was arrested and booked into the Cocke County Jail on a $100,000 bond.