Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal criticism was filed yesterday charging Luther Moody Trent, age 21, of Baltimore, Maryland, for a federal demand of malicious destruction of house made use of in and impacting interstate commerce by fire, in connection with an arson at the rented house of his former girlfriend.
The prison criticism was introduced by United States Legal professional for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron Acting Exclusive Agent in Demand L.C. Cheeks, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division Maryland Point out Fireplace Marshal Brian S. Geraci Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Law enforcement Section and Main Niles R. Ford of the Baltimore Town Fire Division.
According to the affidavit submitted in help of the legal complaint, on May 21, 2021, at about 1:30 a.m., a fireplace was reported at a residence in the 1900 block of Linden Avenue in Baltimore. The fireplace moved along the exterior and into the rear of the home wherever it set a elevated picket deck ablaze, and then moved within the creating, accomplishing considerable damage to the home, as properly as harmful the adjoining assets. The property was rented to three people today, Target 1, Sufferer 2, and Sufferer 3, all of whom were in the residence at the time of the fireplace. Baltimore Fire Investigators identified that the hearth was intentionally set and that the origin of the fire was beneath the wood deck in the back of the home.
A Baltimore Police detective interviewed Target 1 shortly soon after the arson. Sufferer 1 instructed the detective about threatening textual content messages she had been given from Trent, with whom she had prior unstable intimate connection, resulting in police getting named on at minimum 1 occasion. An order of protection experienced also been issued in favor of Target 1. The detective was capable to discover online video of a prior incident with Trent and Sufferer 1 in March 2021. Upon viewing Trent in the online video, the detective understood that Trent experienced approached him earlier at the scene of the arson and identified himself as “Trey Johnson.” At the time, Trent was shirtless, carrying glasses and denims, and inquired about his cousin, whom he claimed resided in the residence. The detective famous that “Trey Johnson” was performing anxious and still left the scene shortly thereafter driving a two-doorway black Honda Accord. Victim 1 verified that Trent drives a two-doorway black Honda and indicated that his cousin had not lived at the home in many months.
Legislation enforcement recovered video surveillance recordings from a assortment of sources and vantage factors in the space of the fire. In 1 surveillance video clip, a determine is noticed strolling up the avenue toward the residence at approximately 1:30 a.m., just prior to the fire. Two minutes later, just right after the fireplace was set, an individual, who seems to be shirtless, is witnessed managing down the road, away from the home. Other video surveillance footage displays a black two doorway Honda circling the location following the hearth.
If convicted, Trent faces a mandatory minimum amount sentence of five years and maximum sentence of 20 many years in federal prison for destructive destruction of a industrial house by hearth. Actual sentences for federal crimes are commonly much less than the most penalties. A federal district courtroom judge will decide any sentence just after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Trent is at present detained on relevant condition rates. An first appearance in U.S. District Court docket has not still been scheduled.
A felony criticism is not a locating of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed harmless unless of course and till confirmed responsible at some later on criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron counseled the ATF, the Maryland Point out Hearth Marshal’s Office environment, the Baltimore Police Section, and the Baltimore City Fire Office for their do the job in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Lawyer Judson T. Mihok, who is prosecuting the federal case.
For a lot more information and facts on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Workplace, its priorities, and resources offered to aid the group, you should visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/group-outreach.
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