CALIFORNIA, Md. – The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has released additional details regarding an incident involving reckless endangerment and arson at the Super 8 Motel in California, Maryland.
On the night of June 3, 2024, at approximately 11:08 PM, Deputy First Class Valles responded to a report of a structure fire at the Super 8 Motel located at 22801 Three Notch Road, California, MD. Upon arrival, deputies were informed by Deputy Sheriff Geric of an ongoing domestic dispute in room 310.
According to court documents, inside the room, deputies found Anthony Cleaver Mason and another individual. The individual was barricaded and actively trying to escape. Mason, displaying erratic behavior, had reportedly set fire to the lampshade and other furniture. The individual, fearing for their life, exited the room through a window.
As a result of the fire, approximately 50 people were displaced, with an estimated property damage of $750,000. Forty-eight firefighters from various departments, including Bay District, Hollywood, NAS Patuxent River, Leonardtown, Ridge, Valley Lee, and Solomons, responded to the scene. Multiple people were injured, including those who jumped from the third floor. One adult female and her child were assisted out of the hotel, where the female then suffered a medical emergency and was transported to an area hospital.
Anthony C. Mason, 64, of Leonardtown, has been charged with reckless endangerment, first-degree malicious burning, and arson in the second-degree. He has been committed to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center without bond. A bail review was held on June 5, 2024, at 1:00 PM. A preliminary hearing is set for July 2 at 1 p.m. at the St. Mary’s District Court.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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