A Mechanicsville man has been sentenced to 20 years in jail in connection with two arson fires at vacant homes in Golden Beach in July of 2013. Steven Rovinski, 27 was given the consecutive jail term by Circuit Court Judge Michael Stamm after Rovinski pled guilty in March to First- and Second-Degree Arson and Possessing a Stolen Firearm.

Rovinski has a long criminal record in all three Southern Maryland counties. His lawyer Kathleen McClernan had sought a lower sentence due to his health. But Judge Stamm noted that Rovinski had two previous violations of probation that he said he was unaware of when he had agreed to consider sentencing under lesser guidelines.

In observing that his sentence was harsh, the judge said, “Arson is probably one of the worse crimes we have, with not only the monetary loss but the danger to the firefighters.

Many of Rovinski’s previous run-ins with the law involved theft and apparently he has a long-standing drug problem. The judge did allow drug counseling as part of the sentence. He also allowed credit for the 273 days he has spent in jail.

The following is the press release issued by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office at the time of Rovinski’s arrest: “Deputy State Fire Marshals have concluded an investigation involving two vacant home fires located in the Golden Beach community of Mechanicsville. Steven Lee Rovinski (26) of Golden Beach was charged with (2) counts – 1st Degree Arson, (2) counts – 2nd Degree Burglary, (2) counts – Malicious Destruction of Property and (2) counts – Reckless Endangerment. No motive for the fires has been established at this time.

“The first fire heavily damaged a vacant house at 39350 Golden Beach Road in Mechanicsville at 5:40 a.m. on July 20, 2013. The one alarm fire was placed under control within 20 minutes by approximately 45 firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hughesville, Benedict, Waldorf, La Plata, Hollywood, Bel Alton and Baden Volunteer Fire Departments. The fire was controlled within 20 minutes. Damage estimates for the fire is $125,000. Investigators determined the fire originated inside the attached garage of the 1 ½ story, vacant split level home. No injuries were reported during the incident.

“The second fire occurred at 4:27 a.m. on July 29, 2013. Approximately 20 firefighters from Hughesville, Mechanicsville, Waldorf and Benedict Volunteer Fire Departments controlled the vacant house fire within 20 minutes after arrival at 40426 Bay Drive in Golden Beach. No injuries were reported during the incident. Damage estimates for this fire is $135,000. The fire completely destroyed the structure and was determined to have originated inside the 1st floor of the home.”

Since Rovinski will be in jail for quite some time the judge ordered that restitution be turned over to the state for collection.