Rape, robbery suspects questioned about pepper plant fire

LAKE PROVIDENCE, LOUISIANA - Prosecutors say charges are pending against four men in connection with a suspicious fire that destroyed much of a hot sauce company&#39;s plant in Lake Providence, Louisiana. <br> <br> East Carroll Parish Sheriff&#39;s deputy Brandon Pilcher said 38-year-old Willie Hopkins of Lake Providence and 30-year-old Ronald Coleman of College Park, Georgia, have also been charged with an aggravated rape, armed robbery that happened shortly after the December 29th fire at Panola Pepper. <br> <br> Pilcher said charges also are pending against two others. <br> <br> Prosecutor Buddy Caldwell said Hopkins is a former Panola employee with a workman&#39;s compensation claim against the company. He said the men became suspects in the fire following investigation of a rape and armed robbery at the Economy Inn in Lake Providence several hours after the blaze. <br> <br> Panola officials have said it will take at least three months to repair the plant. All the company&#39;s records and a new 500-thousand-dollar production line were destroyed. <br> <br> Panola makes hot sauces and Worcestershire sauce, and bottles olives, jalapeno peppers and other products.