Maryland State Fire Marshal
News Release
Martin O’Malley Governor
Brian S. Geraci State Fire Marshal
SUSPECT CHARGED IN CALIFORNIA EXPLOSION INVESTIGATION ST. MARY’S COUNTY, MD (September 6, 2013) – Investigators with the Office of the State Fire Marshal have charged a 53 year-old female in the wake of an explosion investigation. The 11:17 p.m. incident originally occurred on August 14, 2013 at the rear of the Hickory Hill Shopping Center located at 22741 Three Notch Road in California, St. Mary’s County, MD. The investigation revealed Cynthia Mae Oakley (53) was described by multiple witnesses as the individual responsible for placing and igniting a commercial grade firework on the ground behind the building. The resulting explosion caused approximately $5,000 damage to a vehicle parked near the device. Oakley was served a criminal summons this morning at a friend’s home located in Mechanicsville. She was charged with (2) counts Destructive Device, Reckless Endangerment, (2) counts Fireworks Possession without Permit and Fireworks Discharge without a permit. If convicted of the charges, Oakley faces penalties of up to 55 years imprisonment and/or $505,750 in fines.
Oakley, Cynthia Mae ### 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