CHARLES COUNTY, MD (April 8, 2026) - Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged a man after determining a vehicle fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marbury was intentionally set.
On April 6, 2026, at around 5:00 p.m, Deputy State Fire Marshals responded to the 4000 block of Chicamuxen Road for a reported motorcycle that had caught fire. Firefighters arrived to find a 2015 Harley-Davidson FXSTI in a roadside ditch, already extinguished.
Deputy State Fire Marshals, working in coordination with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, conducted an investigation and determined the fire originated in the area of the motorcycle’s gas tank. Evidence collected at the scene included a partially burned article of clothing recovered from the tank area, which is believed to have been used as an ignition source.
During the investigation, Joseph Gear, 53, was identified as a suspect and was located a short distance from the scene.
Gear was arrested and transported to the Charles County Detention Center and charged with second-degree arson. He is currently being held without bond.
