Maryland State Fire Marshal
News Release
Martin O’Malley Governor
Brian S. Geraci State Fire Marshal
INMATE CAUSES MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM CALVERT COUNTY, MD (January 8, 2014) – Deputy State Fire Marshal’s charged a 25 year-old inmate at the Calvert County Detention Center with destruction of a fire sprinkler head and activation of the fire alarm system. The incident occurred at 6:20 a.m. on January 8, 2014 inside the suspects’ cell at the detention center. Investigators and corrections officers determined an inmate; James M. Pickett (25) had damaged the sprinkler head which caused flooding to occur in the cell block and activated the fire alarm system. The activation of the fire alarm system and subsequent clean-up caused approximately $400.00 in damages. Pickett is being charged with causing a False Alarm and Malicious Destruction of Property. If convicted of these charges he could face penalties not to exceed five years and two months additional imprisonment and/or $5,500 in fines. ### Media contact: Oliver J. Alkire S/DSFM-Asst. Public Information Officer; (240) 580-7934
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 investigation, inspection, education and fire protection engineering. For more information on fire safety call 1-800525-3124, log onto our website at: www.mdsp.org/firemarshal and/or http://facebook.com/MarylandStateFireMarshal.
1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208