Domestic Dispute Leads to Intentional Car Fire and Assault Charges

"I paid for the vehicle so he could burn it.” Bert advised that he was tired of not getting any credit for anything around the residence and said he poured alcohol into a jug, poured it into the vehicle, and ignited it with a cigarette lighter.”

Uniform Citation quote from Bert Isaacs

Bert Isaacs, 62, of McKee, KY appeared before Judge Henria Bailey-Lewis in District Court on Monday, March 09, 2026 for arraignment in Case #26-F-00034.

According to Uniform Citation #EY54681, McKee Police Chief Zack Bryant responded to a vehicle fire that the McKee Fire Department had been called to at a trailer park on Lakewood Drive in McKee, KY on March 02, 2026.

Upon arrival, Chief Bryant observed the vehicle fully involved in flames. Chief Bryant attempted to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher while the flames were large and parts of the vehicle were exploding. The burning vehicle was within just a few feet of a house trailer and Chief Bryant was concerned that the trailer was going to ignite. After using all the fire extinguisher he had, Chief Bryant knocked on the door and learned there were two people inside the residence. After letting the female that answered the door know the vehicle was on fire, she replied, “I know Bert set it.” Chief Bryant asked where Bert was and the female pointed him in Bert’s direction.

Chief Bryant asked Bert what happened and he stated, “I paid for the vehicle so he could burn it.” Bert advised that he was tired of not getting any credit for anything around the residence and said he poured alcohol into a jug, poured it into the vehicle, and ignited it with a cigarette lighter.

Chief Bryant spoke with a neighbor outside of the residence, who said he noticed the vehicle smoking and knocked on the door to let the homeowners know about the vehicle. The neighbor said that the “lady” he talked to told him that Bert set the fire on purpose.

The damages constituted a total loss of the vehicle with a monetary value of more than $1,000. The fire also caused damages to the driveway where the vehicle was parked.

The uniform citation notes that four (4) firefighters responded to the incident and extinguished the fire, putting their lives in grave risk while fighting to keep the residence from catching fire.

When Chief Bryant ran the VIN on the vehicle, it came back belonging to Rhonda Pierce.
Rhonda Pierce was inside the residence at the time of the fire but was not very mobile due to medical conditions of her legs and back. According to Uniform Citation #FF12173, Pierce stated that she and Bert had been arguing, and she had had enough of it, so she punched him in the mouth and pulled out some of his hair.

Bert Isaacs was placed under arrest and transported to the Jackson County Detention Center where he was booked and charged with criminal mischief, 1st degree, wanton endangerment, 1st degree (police officer), willful setting of fire on land not owned/controlled by self, disorderly conduct, 2nd degree, and failure to notify address change to Department of Transportation.

At his arraignment on Monday, Isaacs pleaded “not guilty” to all charges. Judge Bailey-Lewis ruled that Isaacs should be considered a danger to himself or others and maintained bond at $25,000 cash. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 16, 2026.

Rhonda Pierce, 61, of McKee, KY, was also arrested and taken to the Jackson County Detention Center where she was booked and charged with assault, 4th degree (domestic violence) minor injury. Her arraignment is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

As in all cases at this stage of adjudication, the charges are allegations and the defendant(s) is/are presumed innocent until provided due process and determined to be guilty by the court.