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Joshua Christian-Stanley Jackson, 21, of Prince Frederick, was taken into custody Wednesday, March 5, after investigators linked him to another arson case and a separate false 911 call, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Jackson, who was initially arrested last week for allegedly setting fire to a vacant commercial building in Charles County, had been released from jail on home detention Monday, March 3.
Authorities say Jackson is now facing new charges for setting fire to the exterior of a vacant home on Maddox Road in Chaptico just before 11:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14.
As with his previous case, Jackson himself reported the fire to 911, investigators said.
But the alleged scheme didn’t stop there.
Investigators also determined Jackson made a false 911 call about a motor vehicle accident on Three Notch Road in Hollywood late last year.
Officials say he falsely reported the crash just to position himself to record first responders in action, and then later monetized the footage by posting it on multiple social media pages.
Jackson was arrested without incident and is now being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center, where he faces charges of:
- Second-degree arson;
- Second-degree malicious burning;
- Malicious destruction of property;
- Making a false 911 call.
Officials say Jackson’s pattern of fabricating emergencies for social media content has wasted emergency resources, endangered lives, and burdened first responders.
"Arson is a serious crime that puts lives at risk and places an unnecessary burden on our first responders," Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray said after Jackson’s first arrest.
"We want to remind the public that making false 911 calls is a criminal offense, and anyone who engages in such reckless behavior will be held accountable."
Deputy State Fire Marshals say their investigation is far from over, as they are now reviewing additional fires and false 911 calls in Calvert County, meaning even more charges could follow.
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