UCF Student Dressed as Pirate, Armed With Sword, Suspected of Arson at Savannas Preserve

A 22-year-old University of Central Florida student with no ties to the Treasure Coast was arrested late Wednesday night after witnesses say he poured gasoline on a motorcycle, dressed himself as a pirate, and used a lit torch to ignite grass inside Savannas Preserve State Park — a protected wetland corridor spanning Martin and St. Lucie counties.

Morgan Grante Lentz, of Melbourne, is facing charges of intentional or reckless land burning, criminal mischief over $1,000, and resisting arrest without violence, according to a Martin County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit obtained by WPTV. The fire investigation remains open.

The incident began about a mile from the preserve. A witness flagged down deputies near Goose Pub in Jensen Beach after seeing Lentz, who was dressed in pirate clothing, pour gasoline onto a motorcycle parked in the area. The motorcycle's owner chased Lentz on foot before he fled. Deputies then received reports of a man matching Lentz's description inside Savannas Preserve carrying a torch and setting grass on fire.

When deputies located Lentz inside the park, he was armed with a samurai sword attached to his waist. He surrendered at gunpoint but resisted after being taken into custody, according to the affidavit.

Martin County Fire Rescue extinguished the blaze before it spread beyond approximately 40 yards. No structures were threatened, officials said. Deputies recovered one-and-a-half gallons of gasoline stored in water jugs near Goose Pub. Multiple witnesses, including one who recorded video of Lentz's arrest, told investigators they observed him carrying a lit torch and igniting grass.

The Sentinel has requested the full arrest affidavit, incident report, and charging documents from the Martin County Sheriff's Office. On-record comment has been sought from the Sheriff's Office public information office and from Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees Savannas Preserve. Officials said

The arrest is the most local flash point in what state and federal officials are describing as a dangerous fire season across Florida. As of Thursday, firefighters were battling more than 130 active wildfires across the state, predominantly in the northern half, according to the Associated Press. FEMA has authorized federal reimbursement funds to assist Florida in fighting the Railroad Complex Fire Officials said. Drought conditions across southern Georgia and northern Florida have driven rapid fire spread, with more than 50 homes destroyed in Georgia's Brantley County alone.

On the Treasure Coast, the timing of the Savannas arson carries additional weight. A 600-acre prescribed burn is planned at a nearby Florida state park Officials said, a controlled fire management tool that, under current dry conditions, requires heightened public awareness to distinguish from uncontrolled blazes.

Savannas Preserve, a 5,571-acre coastal flatwoods and wetland system, is among the most ecologically sensitive public lands in South Florida. A deliberately set fire during a drought period — even one extinguished quickly — poses compounding risks to habitat that is already stressed by below-average rainfall.

Lentz had no prior connection to Martin County, according to the Sheriff's Office. His motive has not been disclosed. The fire investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are possible depending on findings from state environmental investigators.

The next proceeding to watch: Lentz's first appearance in Martin County court, where the state will indicate whether it intends to pursue enhanced charges tied to the ecological status of the preserve.

This article was generated with AI assistance using publicly available information. It was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. TC Sentinel uses AI writing tools in accordance with FTC guidelines.