(Taylor Co) The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office says 69-year-old Ellis Earl Houk, of Kellerton, was sentenced Tuesday to two consecutive sentences of 25 years in relation to his arson and attempt to commit murder convictions. Houk was additionally sentenced to three 10-year sentences on the other three charges. The 25-year sentences ran consecutive will require Houk to spend a mandatory 35-years in custody without the chance to parole.
Houk was found guilty by a jury of his peers in Taylor County on August 3rd. He was convicted on charges of Arson in the 1st Degree, Attempt to Commit Murder, Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, Burglary in the 1st Degree and Criminal Mischief in the First Degree.
On November 20, 2022, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a house fire located at 1871 Orange Avenue in Bedford. The female occupant exited the home and was treated by Taylor County EMS prior to being airlifted to a burn center for treatment of serious injuries. Sheriff’s Deputies began an investigation into the origin of the fire, which led to the belief that it was arson. Ellis Houk located and arrested in Texas.
