Salisbury Teen Faces Multiple Arson Charges

Wicomico County,MD – A Salisbury juvenile was charged today by Deputy State Fire Marshals with two counts of Arson in the 1st Degree, two counts of Malicious Burning in the 1st Degree, Malicious Destruction of Property over $1000.00 as well as Attempted Arson.

A lengthy investigation by investigators out of the Lower Eastern Region of the State Fire Marshal’s office concluded today when a 14-year-old juvenile was located and referred to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services for the above charges.

The charges stem from 3 separate incidents. The first occurred at 4:44 PM on April 14, 2020 in the 1000 block of Roger Street in the city of Salisbury. A blaze in a single family house there was determined to be arson and caused $2500.00 in damages.

The second incident occurred on the morning of August 10, 2020 in an apartment on Second Street also in the city of Salisbury. The Salisbury Police Department responded and took a report of destruction of property at the address. Further investigation lead to a joint effort between Salisbury Police Department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal which resulted in the discovery of an attempted arson at the structure.

The third incident occurred on August 11, 2020 at 11:30 PM in the same apartment on Second Street. This time an actual fire in the home caused approximately $30,000.00 in damages. This fire was also determined to be arson.

After Deputy State Fire Marshals located the juvenile and made him aware of the charges, the juvenile was released to the custody of their parents. All information will be sent to the Department of Juvenile Services for appropriate court action.

The maximum penalty for all of these charges combined is 103 years imprisonment and/or $162,500.00 in fines.