Social Media Hobbyist Arrested After Setting Building on Fire; Making False 911 Calls
CHARLES COUNTY, MD (February 28, 2025) - A Prince Frederick man who films fire departments for social media content was arrested earlier today after investigators determined he was responsible for setting a vacant commercial building on fire last Saturday. During their investigation, they learned that he had set this fire and made false 911 calls to film firefighters responding to the calls for his social media accounts.
At around 8:30 p.m. on February 22, 2025, Newburg Volunteer Fire Company and surrounding departments responded to a reported commercial building fire at 12535 Crain Highway. When firefighters arrived, they discovered a fire inside the vacant structure and were able to extinguish it within minutes. The Office of the State Fire Marshal was requested to investigate and concluded the fire was intentionally set. Investigators learned the first 911 caller was Joshua Christian-Stanley Jackson. Jackson, 21, is known for filming emergency services responses for various social media sites.
In a social media post, investigators learned that Jackson said he was returning from a DoorDash in King George County, Virginia, when he discovered the fire on Crain Highway and described it and its progression in detail.
During their investigation, Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded that Jackson had not traveled to or from Virginia for DoorDash and discovered that he had made several 911 calls in the past in Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert counties. During their interview with Jackson, he told investigators he had set the vacant building on fire. He explained how he had made profits on other videos he had filmed.
"Arson is a serious crime that puts lives at risk and places an unnecessary burden on our first responders. I commend our Deputy State Fire Marshals who worked tirelessly in this case," said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray. "We want to remind the public that making false 911 calls is a criminal offense, and anyone who engages in such reckless behavior will be held accountable." Mowbray continued.
Jackson was arrested this morning and charged with second-degree arson, malicious burning, and causing a false fire alarm. Jackson is currently being held at Charles County Detention Center without bond.
Deputy State Fire Marshals will continue investigating additional cases that Jackson may have reported, and additional charges may follow.
###
The
Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of
State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and
explosion through a comprehensive program of education,
inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more
information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: Maryland State Fire Marshal and/or our Facebook Page.
|
