A 34-year-old St. Petersburg woman is facing multiple charges after Gulfport Police say she intentionally set fire to an occupied Gulfport residence, damaged the victim’s vehicle, and later bit an officer during her arrest.
According to arrest affidavits, Jessica M. Batts is accused of arriving by Uber at a residence in the 2700 block of 49th Street S in Gulfport at about 4:38 a.m. on June 23, 2026. Investigators say Batts had previously been issued a trespass warning for the property.
Police say a friend of the victim saw Batts on the northeast side of the property using a butane torch and intentionally igniting the residence. When the friend called out Batts’ name, Batts allegedly fled on foot.
Officers later located Batts walking north on 49th Street S away from the scene. According to the affidavit, she matched the suspect description provided over the radio and was the only person in the area at the time.
Police say Batts refused to identify herself after being told she was being detained and attempted to walk away. During the arrest, Sgt. Michael Vandenberg took her to the ground after she allegedly resisted and kept her hands underneath her body. While the sergeant attempted to pull one of her hands out, Batts allegedly turned her head and bit him on the left forearm.
During a search following her arrest, officers reported finding a purple and clear butane torch/lighter on Batts. Police say the device was consistent with the one observed being used to ignite the residence.
A separate added charge affidavit accuses Batts of causing between $2,000 and $3,000 in damage to the victim’s vehicle. Police allege Batts placed stickers on the vehicle and carved phrases into the paint using a key or other sharp object.
According to the affidavit, Batts’ vehicle was captured by a Flock camera traveling westbound on Gulfport Boulevard S into Gulfport on the day of that incident. Police say Batts later denied being in Gulfport that day. Investigators also reported that one of the stickers found on the victim’s vehicle matched a sticker found on the driver-side floorboard of Batts’ vehicle.
Police say an arrest was not made at the time of the vehicle damage because the evidence was circumstantial. However, investigators said that while Batts was being arrested on June 23 in the arson case, she allegedly made a spontaneous statement that matched one of the phrases “ONLY FANS WHORE” carved into the victim’s rear bumper. Another derogatory word, “SLUT” was also carved into the vehicle, according to police.
Gulfport Police noted in the affidavit that officers had been called numerous times regarding alleged irrational and harassing behavior toward the victim, and investigators wrote that Batts’ behavior continued to escalate until she was arrested.
Batts is charged with first-degree arson of an occupied structure, aggravated stalking, battery on a law enforcement officer, obstructing or resisting an officer without violence, and criminal mischief causing more than $1,000 in damage.
In the aggravated stalking affidavit, police allege Batts engaged in a pattern of unwanted contact toward the victim through electronic communications and social media, including reposting content from the victim’s Facebook account and making threatening statements.
No injuries were reported to the victim in the arson-related affidavit. The investigation remains ongoing.