Former Firefighter Sentenced After Facing Arson Charges: Official

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Jeremy Hawkins, a former West Lanham Hills Volunteer Firefighter, has been sentenced to 15 years each on two counts of the indictment against him, with all but time-served suspended, followed by three years supervised probation and a requirement to provide 120 hours of community service.

Hawkins was indicted on 14 counts, including first-degree arson and multiple conspiracy to commit first-degree arson and misconduct in office charges.

According to an investigation that unfolded between Dec. 1, 2019, through Jan. 31, 2020, five West Lanham Hills volunteer firefighters that included Hawkins as well as Jay St. John, Cole Vazquez, George Smith and Nicholas Holzberger, conspired with civilians Giancarolo Reyes and Francis Ortiz Oro, to set four vacant houses on fire. The fires were set at times when the individuals would be on duty at the fire station and available to participate in the fire suppression effort and in locations where the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Station would have primary responsibility. No one was hurt in any of these incidents, according to the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office.

All of the other former firefighters have been sentenced this year. On June 1, Holzberger was sentenced to five years supervised probation and 120 hours of community service. St. John was sentenced to five years of supervised probation on Aug. 15. On Aug. 29, Smith was given two years supervised probation. On Oct. 11, Cole Vasquez was sentenced to 15 years on each of the counts (conspiracy to commit arson and committing arson) to which he pled guilty, suspend all but time served, three years supervised probation and 120 hours community service. All have been barred from having any involvement with fire suppression activities.

The civilians who were with the department, Reyes and Ortiz Oro, were sentenced in September. Reyes received five years in prison, suspend all but time served and five years of supervised probation. Ortiz Oro was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison (as total backup time), suspend all but time served, five years probation with the first two supervised and 80 hours of community service assisting burn victims.

“This is undoubtedly a very disturbing case,” said State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. “Our first responders are tasked with protecting us; therefore, to have them conspire to do otherwise unconscionable. I am pleased that the former volunteer firefighters and the civilians in this case have taken responsibility and will face the consequences of their actions. This kind of case can destroy the public’s trust; however, I know that the majority of our firefighters are committed, care about this community and are on the job every day to keep our residents safe.”