Fire Marshal Social Media Hobbyist Arrested After Setting Building on Fire; Making False 911 Calls

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CHARLES COUNTY, MD (February 28, 2025) - A Prince Frederick man who films fire departments for social media content was arrested earlier today after investigators determined he was responsible for setting a vacant commercial building on fire last Saturday. During their investigation, they learned that he had set this fire and made false 911 calls to film firefighters responding to the calls for his social media accounts.

At around 8:30 p.m. on February 22, 2025, Newburg Volunteer Fire Company and surrounding departments responded to a reported commercial building fire at 12535 Crain Highway. When firefighters arrived, they discovered a fire inside the vacant structure and were able to extinguish it within minutes. The Office of the State Fire Marshal was requested to investigate and concluded the fire was intentionally set. Investigators learned the first 911 caller was Joshua Christian-Stanley Jackson. Jackson, 21, is known for filming emergency services responses for various social media sites.

In a social media post, investigators learned that Jackson said he was returning from a DoorDash in King George County, Virginia, when he discovered the fire on Crain Highway and described it and its progression in detail.

During their investigation, Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded that Jackson had not traveled to or from Virginia for DoorDash and discovered that he had made several 911 calls in the past in Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert counties. During their interview with Jackson, he told investigators he had set the vacant building on fire. He explained how he had made profits on other videos he had filmed.

"Arson is a serious crime that puts lives at risk and places an unnecessary burden on our first responders. I commend our Deputy State Fire Marshals who worked tirelessly in this case," said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray. "We want to remind the public that making false 911 calls is a criminal offense, and anyone who engages in such reckless behavior will be held accountable." Mowbray continued.

Jackson was arrested this morning and charged with second-degree arson, malicious burning, and causing a false fire alarm. Jackson is currently being held at Charles County Detention Center without bond.

Deputy State Fire Marshals will continue investigating additional cases that Jackson may have reported, and additional charges may follow.

 

[Editor]

Social Media Creator Arrested in Charles County Last Week Arrested on New Charges in St. Mary's County​

Investigators are continuing to review fire incidents and several other false 911 calls in Calvert County as well.

ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MD (March 5, 2025) - The social media creator arrested last Friday in Charles County was arrested today in St. Mary's County on nearly identical charges.

Joshua Christian-Stanley Jackson, charged with setting fire to a vacant commercial property and making a false 911 call in Charles County, was arrested this afternoon in connection with a new arson case and false 911 call in St. Mary's County. Jackson was released from Charles County Detention Center on Monday on home detention.

Jackson was taken into custody earlier today without incident and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center, where he faces charges of second-degree arson, second-degree malicious burning, malicious destruction of property, and making a false 911 call.

Investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal determined that Jackson was responsible for setting fire to the exterior of a vacant home located on Maddox Road in Chaptico on February 14, 2025, just before 11:00 p.m. Deputy State Fire Marshals discovered Jackson had been the reporting party for the incident.

In addition to the arson-related charges, investigators determined Jackson made a false 911 call to report a motor vehicle accident on Three Notch Road in Hollywood late last year. This call was determined to be unfounded. Jackson made the false report to position himself to record emergency responders as they attended to the scene. He later monetized the footage by posting it on multiple social media pages.

As part of an ongoing investigation, Deputy State Fire Marshals are reviewing additional fire incidents and several other false 911 calls within Calvert County, and additional charges could follow.