5 men torched the predominantly Black Charles County subdivision – 32 residents of the community filed civil suit against the men alledging racism

Roy T. McCann, age 23, of Waldorf, was sentenced yesterday to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit arson in connection with the December 6, 2004 fire at the Hunter’s Brooke development in Charles County and conspiracy to distribute Ecstasy. U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus also ordered McCann to pay restitution of $3,274,538.42. 

From October 1 to December 6, 2004 McCann conspired with  Patrick Walsh, age 22, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, Jeremy Parady, age 22, of Accokeek, Aaron Speed, age 22, and Michael McIntosh Everhart, age 21, both of Waldorf, to commit arson at 35 houses under construction in the Hunter’s Brooke development.  

Knowing of the plans of the conspirators on the evening of December 5-6, 2004, McCann assisted Walsh and the other conspirators in preparing for the arson and, in the early morning hours of December 6, traveled to Hunter’s Brooke as a participant in the arson with his co-conspirators. To carry out the scheme, the conspirators poured flammable materials into containers and  placed the containers within and around numerous houses.  None of the houses were occupied at the time of the fires.

To conceal the flammable materials, the conspirators used common containers such as drywall buckets, detergent bottles and other large plastic containers.  The conspirators poured other accelerants in the entranceways and other areas of the houses.  Using flares, matches and propane torches, the conspirators lit the flammable materials, causing a series of fires which destroyed or damaged several houses in various stages of construction. The approximate amount of loss attributable to McCann is $3,274,538.42. 

Also according to the statement of facts, between January and December 2004, McCann conspired with Patrick Walsh and others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 250 tablets of 3,4-methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as “Ecstasy.”  

Parady, Speed and Everhart pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and were sentenced to 87 months, 100 months and 44 months in prison, respectively.  Walsh was convicted in September, 2005 of conspiracy to commit arson and 35 counts of arson, and was sentenced to 235 months in prison.  U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus also ordered that each defendant pay restitution of $3,274,538.42. 

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigation coordinated by a task force which includes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.  Mr. Rosenstein also thanked  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chan Park and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Sanger, who prosecuted the case.