An Eastern Kentucky father burns down his home on purpose.
Police say a Laurel County man tried to make police think he was robbed and beaten up ... as two other men set his home on fire.
At first, neighbors thought it was just a case of bad luck.
"It was kind of surreal to me... because this guy just got robbed... and now his house is on fire," said one neighbor.
Police say Jonathan Johnson created an elaborate plan to convince officials he was robbed ...then lost his home, just outside of London, in a fire.
"He just continued with his story... and I flat out told him, 'I don't believe you.' So let's go from there," said Charles Loomis with the Laurel County Sheriff Department.
Officers say, Johnson told them he was a man of God and would never do such a thing ... but eventually, Johnson gave in.
He said he set his home on fire, to get the insurance money
.
Johnson told officials he needed money to pay for daycare services for his kids.
Johnson is facing an arson charge.
Police expect to file more charges.
Johnson was in the Laurel County Detention Center, but he was recently bailed out.
