Maryland State Fire Marshal
News Release Martin O’Malley Governor
William E. Barnard State Fire Marshal
LEONARDTOWN WOMAN SERVED CRIMINAL SUMMONS FOR ARSON FRAUD ST. MARY’S COUNTY (September 27, 2012) – Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office served a criminal summons on the owner of the property located at 41990 Domitilla Court in Leonardtown, Maryland. The investigation into the 10:39 a.m. dwelling fire on April 6, 2012 revealed that Erica L. Pohnel (33) was responsible for intentionally setting a fire in the first floor bedroom that extended into the second floor of the home and caused an estimated $300,000 in damages to the structure and contents. No injuries were reported during the incident. Pohnel was served a criminal summons at her place of employment today at 1:30 p.m. She was charged with 1st Degree Arson and Burning with Intent to Defraud. If convicted of the charges, Pohnel faces penalties of up to 55 years imprisonment and/or $35,000 in fines. A preliminary court date has been set for November 6, 2012. ### Media contact: Bruce D. Bouch, Deputy State Fire Marshal; 443-324-6876 The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: www.mdsp.org/firemarshal and/or http://facebook.com/MarylandStateFireMarshal.
1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208