CHAPTICO, Md. — A man previously charged with arson in Charles County has been arrested again—this time in St. Mary’s County—on nearly identical charges.
Joshua Christian-Stanley Jackson, 21, was taken into custody on March 5, 2025, after investigators linked him to a fire that occurred in Chaptico on February 14. Authorities say Jackson set fire to a vacant home on Maddox Road and later made a false 911 call to report the incident. He is facing multiple charges, including second-degree arson, second-degree malicious burning, malicious destruction of property, and making a false 911 call.
Jackson’s latest arrest comes just days after his release from the Charles County Detention Center, where he had been held following his February 23 arrest in connection with a fire at a vacant commercial property in Newburg. In that case, authorities determined Jackson deliberately set fire to the structure before calling 911 to report it.
Pattern of Alleged False Reports and Fires
Investigators say Jackson has demonstrated a pattern of allegedly staging emergencies to capture footage for his social media channels. According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Jackson admitted during questioning that he made multiple false emergency calls across St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert counties, positioning himself to film first responders as they arrived. Authorities say he later monetized the footage by posting it to various social media platforms.
In addition to the arson-related charges, investigators say Jackson falsely reported a motor vehicle accident in Hollywood late last year—another incident they claim he staged for content.
Legal Ramifications and Ongoing Investigation
Jackson is charged with second-degree arson, a felony under Maryland law, which carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. He also faces a second-degree malicious burning charge, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $500 fine. The malicious destruction of property charge could result in up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, while making a false 911 call could lead to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
He appeared before Judge James Tanavage for a bail review hearing on March 6, where he was ordered to remain held without bond at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center.
Authorities continue to investigate additional fires and false emergency calls that Jackson may be linked to in Calvert County, and further charges could be forthcoming.
Anyone with information regarding the incidents is urged to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Southern Region Office at 410-414-3615.
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50 years not good enough life without parole