CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (October 5, 2010) – Deputy State Fire Marshals have arrested James Carter Tilley, Jr., age 24, of Mechanicsville, for setting a fire that caused an estimated $200,000 damage to the Heisman Bar located at 6365 Hawthorne Road in La Plata, Charles County.
On December 25, 2009 at approximately 3:45 p.m., forty-nine firefighters responded to the Heisman Bar from Potomac Heights, Marbury, Nanjemoy, Accokeek, Indian Head, Bryans Road, Bel Alton and La Plata Volunteer Fire Departments. The fire was contained to the second floor vacant apartments within one hour. No injuries were reported during the incident.
After a lengthy investigation, Deputy Fire Marshals along with the Patrol Division of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office determined Tilley was responsible for the blaze. He was arrested and transported without incident to the Charles County Detention Center and is awaiting his initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.
If convicted of the charges, Tilley faces a penalty of up to twenty years imprisonment and/or $30,000 in fines.
Source: Office of Maryland State Fire Marshal