The arson case
This is the charge in North Carolina law that Guilford County Emergency Services Director Alan Perdue identified as revelant to the Eastern Guilford arson:
"Burning of schoohouses or buildings of educational institutions."
It's a Class F felony, which means definite prison time -- if the offender is tried as an adult.
Neither Perdue nor Sheriff BJ Barnes would confirm whether their "persons of interest" are students. That's the assumption but, as Barnes said at one point during his press conference today, "You can make any assumptions you want."
Barnes appealed for those responsible to "come to the foot of the cross" -- which they should -- but confession will not save those individuals from criminal charges.
Perdue noted (after the press conference) that conspiracy charges are possible if more than one person is involved in this.
This case does not need to drag on, and probably won't. My impression is that investigators have a pretty good idea who was involved in this.
By the way, here's the young man who was convicted for setting a fire at High Point Central back in 1997. With other charges, his sentence totaled four years in prison.