{{Short description|2004 arson fire in Maryland, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox civilian attack | title = Hunters Brooke arson | image = | caption = | location = {{nowrap|Charles County, Maryland, U.S.}} | target = Hunters Brooke development | date = December 6, 2004 | type = Arson | fatalities = | injuries = | perps = Jeremy Parady, Aaron Speed, Patrick Walsh, Roy McCann, and Michael Everhart | motive = Anti-black racism (for three of the perpetrators) }} The '''Hunters Brooke arson''' was a series of fires that destroyed over two dozen houses in the under-construction Hunters Brooke Development on Maryland Route 225, southeast of Indian Head, Maryland, in the United States, on December 6, 2004. It is considered to be the worst arson event in Maryland state history.
==Arsonists, motivation, and legal punishment== Initially suspicion fell on environmental extremists, since the development was being constructed in an unusual and sensitive wetland area, a magnolia bog.<ref name="Barringer/Dao"> {{cite news |first1=Felicity|last1=Barringer |first2=James|last2=Dao |first3=Elizabeth|last3=Olson |title=100 Investigators Gather at Subdivision, Seeking Clues to Vast Arson |work=The New York Times |date=8 December 2004 |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70C13F939550C7B8CDDAB0994DC404482 |accessdate=19 June 2012 }}</ref>
However, it was ultimately determined that Patrick Walsh and Aaron Speed, a security guard for the Hunters Brooke Development, recruited three others to set fire to the homes as a hate crime. Three of the arsonists said they were motivated by the fact that the majority of the purchasers were African-Americans.<ref name=Gately> {{cite news |first=Gary|last=Gately |title=Man Pleads Guilty to Arson Spree in Maryland |work=The New York Times |date=29 April 2005 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/29/national/29arson.html |accessdate=19 June 2012 }}</ref><ref name=Gately2> {{cite news |first=Gary|last=Gately |title=Pall of Racism Remains Over Neighborhood Repaired After Arson |work=The New York Times |date=6 October 2005 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/06/national/06arson.html |accessdate=29 November 2008 }}</ref>
Convicted and sentenced were:
* Patrick Walsh, age 21, of Fort Washington, Maryland, was sentenced to 235 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release in connection with his conviction by a federal jury on September 2, 2005, of conspiracy to commit arson and 35 counts of arson. * Aaron Speed, age 22, of Waldorf, Maryland, was sentenced to 100 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release in connection with his guilty plea on June 23, 2005, to conspiracy to commit arson. * Jeremy Parady, age 21, of Accokeek, Maryland, was sentenced to 87 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release in connection with his guilty plea on April 28, 2005, to conspiracy to commit arson. *Roy McCann, age 23, of Marbury, Maryland, was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release in connection with his guilty plea on January 8, 2007, of conspiracy to commit arson and 35 counts of arson. *Michael Everhart, 21, of Waldorf, Maryland, was sentenced to 44 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release in connection with his guilty plea on January 8, 2007, of conspiracy to commit arson and 35 counts of arson.
The trial judge also ordered that each defendant pay restitution of $3,274,538.42.<ref name=Justice> {{cite press release |url=http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md/Public-Affairs/press_releases/press05/Three%20Charles%20County%20Subdivision%20Arson%20Defendants%20Sentenced.html |title=Three Charles County Subdivision Arson Defendants Sentenced |publisher=United States Department of Justice |date=5 December 2005 }}</ref><ref name=USAToday> {{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-09-02-md-arson_x.htm |title=Jury convicts mastermind of $10M Maryland arson |work=USA Today |date=2 September 2005 |agency=Associated Press }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{coord|38.57137|-77.11372|display=title}} Category:Arson in Maryland Category:Security guards convicted of crimes Category:2004 in Maryland Category:December 2004 crimes in the United States Category:Charles County, Maryland Category:Arson in 2004 Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2004 Category:Building and structure fires in the United States Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in Maryland Category:2004 fires in the United States Category:Racially motivated violence against African Americans in Maryland