A former university lecturer who taught “criminal justice issues” will gain some first-hand experience in the field after he was sentenced on Thursday to five years and three months in prison.
Gary Stephen Maynard admitted in January to starting multiple fires in California that could have been more catastrophic than they actually were.
Maynard, 49, has taught at Santa Clara University and Sonoma State University, KCRA reported.
The former lecturer admitted starting at least four fires in July and August 2021 and pleaded guilty to three counts of arson, according to a Justice Department news release.
An arson charge was dismissed as part of a plea deal, according to court records cited by The New York Times.
Maynard charged with arson behind Firefighters are working to contain the Dixie Fire, which ultimately destroyed more than 1,000 homes and spread over 1,500 square miles, according to KCRA.
“He intentionally set the fire behind the men and women fighting the Dixie fire, making a dangerous situation even more dangerous and potentially cutting off any chance of escape,” said Phillip A. Talbert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California. ” in a statement (full text below).
The fire ultimately became the second-largest fire in California history, according to the outlet.
KCRA reported that “Maynard could face up to 20 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.” “In addition to more than five years in prison, he was ordered to pay $13,081 in restitution.”
Maynard’s attorney argued that Maynard “suffered from severe, untreated mental health issues at the time of the arson and has been seeking treatment since,” Fox News reported.
The indictment states, “An unnamed Santa Clara University colleague of Mr. Maynard told police in October 2020 that Mr. Maynard was struggling with anxiety, depression, dissociation, and was suicidal.” .
You can read the full press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California below.
U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced that Gary Stephen Maynard, 49, of San Jose, was sentenced today to five years and three years in prison for three counts of arson on federal property. months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $13,081 in restitution.
“Maynard set fires on federal land as California faced one of its worst fire seasons in history. He intentionally set fires behind the men and women fighting the Dixie fires, making a dangerous situation even more dangerous,” said U.S. Attorney Talbot. dangerous, thereby potentially cutting off any chance of escape. “It was due to the quick response of the U.S. Forest Service and the actions of civilian witnesses that these fires were extinguished so quickly. Today’s sentencing underscores the danger posed by the Maynard Fire and serves as a reminder that federal law enforcement takes Treat the threat arson poses to life, property and national forests.
U.S. Forest Service Assistant Special Agent in Charge Tony Magarre praised his agents and other cooperating law enforcement agencies for identifying Maynard’s actions early in the investigation, “which led to Maynard’s actions on Forest Service lands and The rapid arrest before more damage was done to the land” increased the threat to firefighters’ lives. This is a great example of how collaboration between law enforcement agencies serves our public and keeps us safe.
According to court documents, Maynard started a series of fires near the Dixie Fire, which was then ongoing in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and the Lassen National Forest. Maynard set some fires behind firefighters aggressively fighting the Dixie Fire, effectively surrounding the firefighters who were responding to one of the largest wildfires in California history. Maynard admitted to setting the following fires during this arson incident: Cascade Fire (July 20, 2021), Everett Fire (July 21, 2021), Ranch Fire (August 2021 7) and the Conrad Fire (August 21, 2021).
This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service with assistance from the FBI, Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol and the Lassen County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shea J. Kenny and Sam Stefanki prosecuted the case.
This article originally appeared in Western Daily News.
