Arson At Anne Arundel Bar Prompts Prison Sentence, $560K Fine: Officials

PASADENA, MD — An arson at a Pasadena bar sent an Anne Arundel County man to prison, officials announced Friday. An incident report said 36-year-old Jamie Clemons of Pasadena was sentenced to nine years in federal prison and three years of probation. He must also pay $560,346.26 in restitution for the blaze at Coconut Charlie’s, previously located in the 9100 block of Fort Smallwood Road.

Prosecutors accused Clemons of setting the business on fire on July 28, 2017 using multiple incendiary devices. The U.S. Department of Justice alleged that Clemons set the fire to destroy video evidence of an assault that he committed at the bar the week prior, which led authorities to charge him with second-degree assault the day before the blaze.

Officials said that they found:

• A glove on the site that tested positive for ignitable liquid and Clemons’ DNA
• Texts on Clemons' phone expressing his concern about the surveillance tape showing the assault

The prosecution reported that the flames caused more than $500,000 in damage, completely destroying the building and forcing the establishment to permanently close. A firefighter was also hurt when he fell off a ladder while battling the blaze.

“This defendant not only endangered our brave firefighters who responded to the arson that he set, he caused devastating damage to a longtime Maryland business, forcing it to close,” U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron said in a press release. “The fire arsons often cause are indiscriminate in the lives and property they put in jeopardy. Arsons are also often difficult crimes to uncover and prove in court, and I am grateful to our investigative and prosecution teams for their dedication and persistence.”

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