Highland Arsonist Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

Baltimore, Maryland — U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Scott Daniel Wilson, age 57, of Highland, Maryland, late Friday evening, July 30, 2010, to the statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for arson. Judge Bennett enhanced Wilson’s sentence upon finding that Wilson is a career offender and a serial arsonist who poses a continuing threat to the safety of the community. Judge Bennett also entered an order requiring Wilson to pay restitution of $147,247 to Traveler’s Insurance for the damage to the home resulting from the arson.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Chief William McMahon of the Howard County Police Department; and Chief William F. Goddard III of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

According to Wilson’s guilty plea and other court documents, on October 31, 2008, Wilson set fire to his home at 7202 Mink Hollow Road. Wilson also maintained space in the residence for his company, Subtractions LLC, a computer and electronics recycling company servicing the Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia area. The fire caused substantial damage to the home.

On December 31, 2008, Wilson poured screws and glass on the driveway of a potential witness against him and on January 8, 2008 threatened to kill another witness and her grandchildren. Also on January 8, 2008, Wilson called a third witness and threatened to kill him.

At the sentencing hearing Judge Bennett also credited the government’s evidence as to additional uncharged incidents. Among those incidents, the Judge specifically found that on November 28, 2008, Wilson used fire to destroy a pickup truck located at 9060 Maier Road, Laurel, MD, where Wilson was living in a warehouse space. The pickup truck was owned by an individual Wilson had a dispute with, who also lived at that address. The Judge also credited the government’s evidence with regard to an incident in the 1970s, when Wilson choked his wife unconscious after she said she was leaving him, and then poured gasoline around the house in an apparent attempt to light the house on fire with his unconscious wife inside.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Harry Gruber and Martin Clarke who prosecuted the case.