Man Admits to Setting Liquor Store On Fire During Baltimore Riots
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—A man has pleaded guilty on Monday to malicious destruction of property by fire, arising from the arson of a liquor store during the Baltimore Riots.
One victim was seriously injured inside the store on April 27, 2015, and another escaped with minor injuries.
"Surveillance cameras recorded while Darius Stewart maliciously set fire to a store with people inside, and other rioters viciously attacked the store owner," said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. "Citizens deserve to know that the rule of law will be upheld, and criminals who destroy property and jeopardize lives will be held accountable."
Authorities say two owners of a liquor store located on West North Avenue were inside their store when the first wave of approximately 20 to 30 people entered the business and began banging on the bulletproof window with pipes and crow bars. The group was chased off by a community member.
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Shortly thereafter, a second wave of approximately 150 people entered the business and began ransacking and looting the store. One of the business owners was assaulted, resulting in a head injury requiring stitches, and was eventually rescued by police. Baltimore CitiWatch surveillance footage captured individuals robbing and repeatedly assaulting the owner as he was outside his store while it was being looted.
The second owner fled upstairs and was able to hide on an enclosed balcony as the looters broke down the door and looted the second floor.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. that night, 22-year-old Darius Stewart set three fires inside the store. Surveillance footage clearly captured Stewart starting the fires and then going out to the street to get paper and cardboard to feed the fires he had set.
Smoke from the fires spread upstairs where the second owner was hiding. He was able to escape the burning building by using the gutter in an effort to slow his fall as he jumped to the ground. He suffered head trauma and injured his ankle. He was able to escape in his vehicle.
The damage caused by the fire was extensive and it is estimated that it will cost approximately $350,000 to repair and restore the building. Stewart has agreed to the entry of an order to pay restitution of at least $350,000.
In his plea agreement, Stewart will be sentenced to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Marvin J. Garbis has scheduled sentencing for July 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.
