Arson suspect in Ocean Creek Resort fire to undergo mental evaluation

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The man accused of setting fire to 21-units at the Ocean Creek Resort will undergo a mental evaluation.

During a hearing on Monday, a judge said 32-year-old James Rusenko will be allowed to go to Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where the evaluation will take place on May 29.

Witness describes fire at Ocean Creek Resort: ‘The whole sky was just orange’

Once the evaluation is over, he will be let out of jail and will be put on GPS monitoring. Rusenko is also not allowed to be near the Ocean Creek Resort building.

Over 80 firefighters battled a blaze Friday night at the Ocean Creek Resort near North Myrtle... — Over 80 firefighters battled a blaze Friday night at the Ocean Creek Resort near North Myrtle Beach. (Source: Horry County Fire Rescue)

Defense attorney Jonny McCoy said once the mental evaluation results are in, McCoy and the prosecution will get together and decide how to move forward and what to recommend to the judge.

Back in February, Rusenko allegedly told police he set the curtain in his apartment on fire with a lighter and then it spread to 20 other apartments, according to warrants.

He is charged with 21 counts of second-degree arson.