MD Man Accused Of Setting Police Cars On Fire

WASHINGTON, DC — A Hagerstown, Maryland man is accused of pouring liquid from a gas can onto three U.S. Supreme Court Police vehicles in July and setting them on fire, according to a U.S. Justice Department release.

Cody Michael Tarner, 23, was indicted for multiple offenses by a federal grand jury in connection with the burning of two police cars and the attempted burning of a third police car on July 13. During the incident, Tarner became engulfed in flames and suffered severe burns. A Supreme Court Police officer rendered first aid and Tarner was later hospitalized, according to the release. Of the vehicles involved in the incident, one was damaged, another was completely burned, and the third did not catch fire.

Following his release from the hospital, Tarner made his first appearance in court on Aug. 13.

“The actions taken by this individual destroyed federal property and were heinous and could have resulted in the loss of lives,” said acting U.S. Attorney Michael R. Sherwin, in the release. “In addition, members of law enforcement were targeted and this type of action will never be acceptable as our office will continue to prosecute crimes such as this to the fullest extent of the law.”

Matthew R. Alcoke, special agent in charge with the Washington Field Office of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, said attempted destruction of federal property would not be tolerated.

“The FBI is committed to quickly responding with our partners at The Supreme Court Police, U.S. Capitol Police, and other members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force to diminish any potential risk to the public and government facilities in these situations," Alcoke said, in the release.

The FBI, Supreme Court Police and U.S. Capitol Police investigated this case. The Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is also investigating this case.