Man charged in arson of his vehicle
CHARLES COUNTY (January 10, 2014) – Deputy State Fire Marshals charged a 37 year-old District of Columbia man in connection with a July 23, 2013 vehicle fire in Indian Head. Kevin Leon Dyer, age 37, of 2532 Southern Avenue S.E., who was also the owner of the vehicle, was charged with intentionally igniting the blaze.
The 2010 Ford Focus was discovered completely destroyed in the early morning hours by a passerby in the Indian Head Rail Trail parking lot located on Livingston Road. The investigation revealed the vehicles interior was intentionally ignited and investigators later discovered Dyer reported the vehicle stolen to the Metropolitan Police Department. It was determined Dyer purchased the vehicle for $14,000.00 and was unable to make the nearly $450.00 monthly payments.
Dyer was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department and is currently being held at the District of Columbia Central Detention Facility where he is currently awaiting extradition to Maryland where he will face charges of 2nd Degree Arson and Malicious Burning with the Intent to Commit Fraud. If convicted, Dyer faces penalties up to 25 years imprisonment and/or fines up to $35,000.00
State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci praised the efforts of the investigators. “When someone commits arson and vehicle insurance fraud, they are stealing directly from the pockets of hard-working, honest Marylanders,” Geraci said. “I am proud of the top-notch investigative work done by my team to crack down on fraud and hold those accountable for their actions”
Inmate causes malicious destruction of fire sprinkler system
CALVERT COUNTY (January 8, 2014) – Deputy State Fire Marshal’s charged a 25-year-old inmate at the Calvert County Detention Center with destruction of a fire sprinkler head and activation of the fire alarm system.
The incident occurred at 6:20 a.m. on January 8, 2014 inside the suspects’ cell at the detention center. Investigators and corrections officers determined an inmate, James M. Pickett, had damaged the sprinkler head which caused flooding to occur in the cell block and activated the fire alarm system. The activation of the fire alarm system and subsequent clean-up caused approximately $400.00 in damages.
Pickett is being charged with causing a False Alarm and Malicious Destruction of Property. If convicted of these charges he could face penalties not to exceed five years and two months additional imprisonment and/or $5,500 in fines.
Inmate causes malicious destruction of fire sprinkler system
CHARLES COUNTY (January 6, 2014) - Deputy State fire Marshal's charged a 19-year-old inmate at the Charles County Detention Center with destruction of a fire sprinkler head and activation of the fire alarm system.
The incident occurred at 12:46 a.m. on January 3, 2014 inside the suspects' cell at the detention center. Investigators and corrections officers determined an inmate, Daniel Albert Humpleby, Jr., age 19, had damaged the sprinkler head which caused flooding to occur in the cell block and activated the fire alarm system. The activation of the fire alarm system and subsequent clean-up caused a lock down of the facility and approximately $350.00 in damages.
Humpleby is being charged with causing a False Alarm and Malicious Destruction of Property. If convicted of these charges he could face penalties not to exceed five years and two months additional imprisonment and/or $5,500 in fines.