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Jeremy Hawkins, a former West Lanham Hills Volunteer firefighter, has been sentenced to 15 years each on two counts of arson, with all but time served suspended, followed by three years supervised probation and a requirement to serve 120 hours of community service, according to Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy.
Officials say that between Dec. 1, 2019, and Jan. 31, 2020, five West Lanham Hill Volunteer firefighters - Hawkins, Jay St. John, Cole Vazquez, George Smith, and Nicholas Holzberger - conspired with two civilians, Giancarlo Reyes and Francis Ortiz Pro, to set four vacant houses on fire.
According to Braveboy, the fires were allegedly set at times when the individuals would be on duty at the fire station, and therefore available to participate in battling the blazes in areas their department would have primary responsibility.
No injuries were reported in any of the fires.
County officials said that all of the other former firefighters were sentenced earlier this year to community service, probation, and various prison terms with all but time served suspended.
Each has also been barred from having any involvement with fire suppression activities, according to prosecutors.
Reyes and Ortiz Oto were also sentenced to prison time, all suspended but time served, as well as probation and community service assisting burn victims.
“This is undoubtedly a very disturbing case,” Braveboy said following the sentencing. “Our first responders are tasked with protecting us; therefore, to have them conspire to do otherwise is wrong.
“I am pleased that the former volunteer firefighters and the civilians in this case have taken responsibility and will face the consequences of their actions,” she continued. “This kind of case can destroy the public’s trust; however, I know that the majority of our firefighters are committed, care about the community, and are on the job every day to keep our residents safe.”
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