Arsonist sentenced to 5+ years in prison

A former criminal justice professor who set at least seven fires during a record-breaking 2021 fire season — including one fire near the Dixie Fire —  was sentenced last week to five years and three months in prison. Gary Stephen Maynard, 49, pleaded guilty to three counts of arson on federal land back in February, and in his sentencing memo prosecutors wrote that his actions were “wanton and deliberate” and he’d set fires intended to harm people.

Arsonist professor Gary Maynard
Arsonist professor Gary Maynard

The Dixie Fire burned through five counties over 963,300 acres, destroying 1,311 structures and killing one person, according to Cal Fire.

Also, Marcus Pacheco, an assistant fire engine operator for the Lassen National Forest, died of Covid while working the fire, as did two water tender operators, Jose T. Calderon and Cessar Saenz, both of San Diego County.

In a report by the Redding Record Searchlight, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert said, “It is only because of the quick response by the U.S. Forest Service — and the actions of civilian witnesses — that those fires were extinguished as quickly as they were.” He said Maynard’s sentence underscores the danger that his fires created. “It serves as a reminder that federal law enforcement takes seriously the threats to life, property, and our national forests caused by arson.”

Dixie Fire at Greenville, California -- photo ©2021 Jay Walter.
Dixie Fire at Greenville, California — photo ©2021 Jay Walter.

Judge Daniel J. Calabretta of U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California sentenced Maynard to 63 months in prison. After his term he’ll  be on supervised release for three years; prosecutors said he was also ordered to pay $13,000 in restitution.

“He intentionally made a dangerous situation more perilous by setting some of his fires behind the men and women fighting the Dixie Fire,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, “potentially cutting off any chance of escape.”

The Record Searchlight has a dandy photo gallery by Ace Photographer Mike Chapman of the 2021 Dixie Fire online.

Arsonist professor Gary Maynard

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6 thoughts on “Arsonist sentenced to 5+ years in prison”

  1. When it comes to arson in any form America is too lenient. There is not one Arsonist that does not understand the consequences of their actions and this is why they do it. Finally we got a conviction and appropriate sentence after the Esperanza Fire (CA) that killed a USFS Engine Crew, but one appropriate conviction/sentence does not make it all right! In some societies the act of arson Carrie’s a death sentence.

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  2. Should’ve been charged with attempted murder and locked up for a very long time.

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  3. I can’t believe he only got 5 years for causing all of that destruction. These lenient punishments are a big contributor to the crime wave wrecking the country.

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    1. No shit. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Maynard admitted to setting four fires in 2021: the Cascade Fire (July 20), the Everitt Fire (July 21), the Ranch Fire (August 7), and the Conard Fire (August 7).

      The investigation was done by the USFS with assistance from the FBI, CalFire, CHP, and the Lassen County Sheriff’s Department. You’d think with that much firepower they’d have managed more than 5 years! Maynard faced a maximum of 20 years with a $250,000 fine for each count to which he pleaded guilty. Arson to federal property carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.

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