Story Category: Crime and Punishment »

A Charles County Detention Center inmate has been charged with damaging a fire sprinkler, setting off the system and an alarm, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal reported. According to Dfm. Bruce Bouch, the incident at the facility, located on Crain Highway in La Plata, occurred Monday, May 7 at 4 p.m.

The inmate—identified as Marcus O. Butler, 26—was charged with activating a false alarm and malicious destruction of property. Butler could face an additional eight years in jail and or $7,500 in fines if convicted of the charges.

“Butler intentionally damaged the fire sprinkler in his cell, causing minor flooding in and around his cell,” Bouch stated. “He was served a criminal summons.”

The damage, which is estimated at $600, was discovered by staff. The fire marshal’s office was assisted in their investigation by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com