FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
June 10, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OWINGS MILLS MAN CHARGED IN THE ARSON OF HIS HOME
Baltimore, Maryland - A criminal complaint was filed today charging Keith T. McMahon, age 41, of Owings Mills, Maryland with arson in connection with the January 29, 2008 burning of his home located on Caves Road in Owings Mills, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. A Baltimore County firefighter was injured during the suppression of the blaze.
According to the criminal complaint, McMahon was having financial difficulties and was behind on the mortgage payments for his home, where he also had his office. The complaint alleges that McMahon arranged to have someone set fire to the house in exchange for $10,000, so that McMahon could collect the insurance on the home and its contents. On January 29, 2008 the home was burned and a firefighter who responded to the fire was injured when he fell through the floor into the basement.
McMahon faces a sentence of at least seven years and a maximum of 40 years in prison for arson. McMahon had his initial appearance in federal district court today and was detained. His detention hearing is set for June 11, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Baltimore County Police Department and the Baltimore County Fire Department for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorney Harry M. Gruber, who is prosecuting the case.