Criminology Professor indicted for Arsons
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Former Santa Clara University professor indicted on arson charges in connection with Dixie Fire
>Gary Stephen Maynard faces up to 20 years in prison for each count if convicted in the blazes
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/11/18/former-santa-clara-university-professor-indicted-on-arson-charges-in-connection-with-dixie-fire/
A former Santa Clara University professor was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on charges that he started four wildland fires that threatened to trap firefighters battling the nearby Dixie Fire.
Gary Stephen Maynard, 47, of San Jose faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each count of arson to federal property, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
The indictment comes after authorities say Maynard went on a fire-setting spree that endangered firefighters battling the massive Dixie Fire, which was the second largest wildfire in state history and burned nearly a million acres across the Sierras while destroying more than 1,000 structures. Prosecutors say he intentionally set fires behind where firefighters had been working, leaving them at risk of being trapped.
Thursday’s indictment alleged Maynard set four fires: The Cascade and Everitt fires on back-to-back days in mid-July, and the Ranch and Conard fires on Aug. 7.
Federal prosecutors had previously charged Maynard in a fifth blaze, the Ranch Fire, which also was started on Aug. 7.
Maynard has been linked but not charged in a sixth fire, the Moon Fire, which ignited in the same area.
United States Forest Service investigators first suspected Maynard was setting fires on July 20, when a person encountered him near the site of the Cascade Fire, according to an arrest affidavit. The former professor asked a fellow motorist for help towing his Kia Soul, and became agitated when he was turned down.
>Gary Stephen Maynard faces up to 20 years in prison for each count if convicted in the blazes
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/11/18/former-santa-clara-university-professor-indicted-on-arson-charges-in-connection-with-dixie-fire/
A former Santa Clara University professor was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on charges that he started four wildland fires that threatened to trap firefighters battling the nearby Dixie Fire.
Gary Stephen Maynard, 47, of San Jose faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each count of arson to federal property, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
The indictment comes after authorities say Maynard went on a fire-setting spree that endangered firefighters battling the massive Dixie Fire, which was the second largest wildfire in state history and burned nearly a million acres across the Sierras while destroying more than 1,000 structures. Prosecutors say he intentionally set fires behind where firefighters had been working, leaving them at risk of being trapped.
Thursday’s indictment alleged Maynard set four fires: The Cascade and Everitt fires on back-to-back days in mid-July, and the Ranch and Conard fires on Aug. 7.
Federal prosecutors had previously charged Maynard in a fifth blaze, the Ranch Fire, which also was started on Aug. 7.
Maynard has been linked but not charged in a sixth fire, the Moon Fire, which ignited in the same area.
United States Forest Service investigators first suspected Maynard was setting fires on July 20, when a person encountered him near the site of the Cascade Fire, according to an arrest affidavit. The former professor asked a fellow motorist for help towing his Kia Soul, and became agitated when he was turned down.
