MD Man Lit Himself On Fire After Pouring Gas On Supreme Court Vehicles

WASHINGTON, DC — A Maryland man this week pleaded guilty to pouring gasoline on several unmarked U.S. Supreme Court police cars before lighting the vehicles — and himself — on fire, according to federal prosecutors.

Cody Tarner, 26, of Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to arson on Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia said. His sentencing is scheduled for May 14.

According to court evidence, Tarner drove to a U.S. Supreme Court property located on First Street Northeast on July 15, 2020. Prosecutors said Tarner parked his vehicle and got out before walking around the property.

Prosecutors said Tarner eventually returned to his car and retrieved a gas can. Security camera footage then captured him pouring gasoline on three unmarked Supreme Court police vehicles. As he did, cameras captured some of the gasoline splashing onto Tarner's body and clothing.

According to prosecutors, Tarner then lit one of the cars on fire, resulting in "a violent ignition of the gasoline." The ignition also resulted in Tarner being engulfed in flames, prosecutors said.

According to court documents, Tarner suffered severe burns and injuries from the flames.

Following the incident, Tarner admitted to starting the fire with gasoline he purchased for that purpose. An investigation also revealed Tarner has several prior interactions with law enforcement, during which he expressed "anti-government and militia extremist ideologies." He also claimed to the the leader of an identified militia group, prosecutors said.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Supreme Court of the United States Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.