Otto Lenke, a former Indian River County firefighter and a police officer in Melbourne, was arrested on charges of first-degree murder and arson of an occupied structure, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Lenke, 61, is currently being held without bond but is expected to be transferred to St. Lucie County, where investigators say the crimes occurred in Fort Pierce.
Information about the case or the deceased is not available at this time.
Prosecutors said information contained in the affidavits about the case “could impair” their ability to prosecute co-defendants in the case.
According to public records, Lenke was employed with Indian River Fire Rescue from May 19, 2000, to May 26, 2016. He was also a Melbourne police officer from December 3, 1980, to December 14, 1995.
Sebastian Daily will publish more information when it is made available.