A Former Police Chief From HoCo Enters Alford Plea For Setting Fires In 3 Counties

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A former police chief from Howard County believed to have set multiple fires across the state has entered an Alford plea in Frederick County Circuit Court for one count of first-degree arson.

Police say David Michael Crawford, 70, of Ellicott City, set a garage on fire in April 2018 while the occupants of the attached home were in bed asleep.

In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but concedes that the prosecution has enough evidence to get a conviction.

As part of the binding plea, the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office will seek a sentence of 20 years with all but 18 months suspended for the arson charge and abandon the two counts of reckless endangerment. Sentencing currently is set for Aug. 11, reports The Frederick News-Post.

Crawford has been linked to active arson cases in Montgomery, Howard and Prince George’s counties. He remains in jail without bail.

According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office, Crawford is believed to have set at least a dozen fires since 2011. Several of the homes were occupied, including by children. Crawford operated from a hit list he had compiled of people he had vendettas against, according to court documents.

Crawford was indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury, where he faced four counts of arson and two counts of reckless endangerment relating to three separate fires targeting homes owned by his stepson, Patch reported.

Authorities believe Crawford set fire to his stepson's unoccupied home in Clarksburg. The flames from the fire spread to an adjacent home causing damage to that residence, as well. While Crawford's stepson wasn't home at the time of the fire, the neighbors were in their home.

Police also believe Crawford set a fire in a garage behind another home owned by his stepson where he lived at the time.

Crawford was a former major of the Prince George’s County Police Department and a former chief of the District Heights Police Department. He also served as chief of the Laurel Police Department.