Rockville, MD (washington dc news now) — A former Laurel police chief who set fires in multiple Maryland counties was sentenced Friday to 55 years in prison in Montgomery County.
For more than a decade, former Laurel Police Chief David Crawford targeted people with whom he had disputes, setting fire to their homes, including that of his own stepson, prosecutors say.
Crawford is already serving two life sentences in Howard County. On Friday, a Montgomery County judge imposed an additional 55 years in prison on first- and second-degree arson charges.
“It’s God-given that this case is finally closed,” said Crawford’s stepson, Justin Schestrom.
Sjostrom said he was relieved that his stepfather was sentenced for setting fire to two of his homes in Clarksburg.
“I absolutely forgive him, but at the same time I don’t think he has the ability to recover,” Shestrom said.
Previous article: Former Laurel police chief sentenced to life in prison for series of arson attacks in Maryland
There were two fires at the family’s townhouse on Majestic Elm Court, first in September 2016 and again in 2017, and later in November 2020 at their home on Peppervine Drive.
“I just thought family arguments were normal. So when I started looking at him as a suspect, it was hard,” Shestrom said.
Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said Crawford’s law enforcement background made his actions particularly troubling.
“He was particularly aware of the risks he faced because of his law enforcement background,” McCarthy said.
Investigators say Schestrom was not the only victim. Authorities determined that Crawford set fire to the homes of people he had conflicts with between 2011 and 2020 in Charles, Howard, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. Many of the victims were home at the time.
Surveillance video shows Crawford, wearing a hoodie, pouring several gallons of gasoline and using a stick covered in cloth to start the fire at the Prince George’s County home.
“He has an aggressive personality. If he doesn’t get a promotion from you, he will [overlooked]you will become a target. If you fire him, you become a target. If you have a dispute with the school board about something, you are going to be targeted,” McCarthy said.
Crawford was previously sentenced to two life sentences and 75 years in prison in Howard County. Prosecutors said the additional 55 years in prison was a safeguard.
“We hope this serves as a backstop to ensure that if anything happens during the appeals period of the previous case, it basically ensures that the defendant, who is now 74 years old, will spend the rest of his life in prison,” McCarthy said.
Crawford will serve a life sentence in Howard County and 55 years in Montgomery County.
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