Juvenile Charged with Detonating “Soda Bottle Bombs”
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (July 9, 2013) – Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged a 14-year-old male juvenile with Manufacture, Possession and Distribution of a Destructive Device after investigators determined he had intentionally placed the devices in his neighbor’s front yard and doorstep. The incident originally occurred overnight on July 4 at 20 Marshall Road in Waldorf. The homeowners notified authorities the next morning after locating the remains of the devices. No injuries were reported as result of the incident.
The juvenile was released to the custody of his parents pending actions by the Charles County Department of Juvenile Services. Such devices are referred to as, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s). Penalties for these devices are up to 25 years imprisonment and/or $250,000 in fines.
The construction of these devices in this and similar incidents are often misrepresented as pranks, however the destructive effect and potential of serious bodily injury is extremely high.
Inmate Charged for Intentionally Damaging Fire Safety Equipment
CALVERT COUNTY, Md. (July 10, 2013) – Deputy State Fire Marshals served an arrest warrant today at the Calvert County Detention Center to Steven Ray McArthur, Jr., age 19, for intentionally damaging four fire sprinkler heads inside his cell.
Corrections officers responded to McArthur’s cell on four separate incidents when the inmate had purposefully broken the fire sprinkler in his cell. The incidents occurred between July 5th and July 9th and caused water to flow inside his cell and activation of the fire alarm system. Total damage resulting from these incidents is estimated at $800.
McArthur was charged with 4 counts of False Alarm and 4 counts of Malicious Destruction of Property. If convicted of the charges he faces a penalty of up to 20 years and 6 months imprisonment and/or $22,000 in fines.