Man Admits to Torching Liquor Store During Riots: U.S. Attorney

BALTIMORE, MD – A 22-year-old Baltimore man pleaded guilty Monday to setting fire to a liquor store during the April 2015 riots, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

Darius Raymond Stewart admitted to malicious destruction of property by fire in connection with the arson at Fireside North Liquor Store in the 2200 block of North Avenue on April 27, 2015, the U.S. Attorney reported.

The federal charge of malicious destruction of a commercial building carries a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, according to officials.

According to the plea agreement, Stewart will be sentenced to five years with three years of supervised release. Sentencing is set for July 21.

Stewart has agreed to pay restitution; there was $350,000 in damage to the building, authorities reported.

“Citizens deserve to know that the rule of law will be upheld, and criminals who destroy property and jeopardize lives will be held accountable,” U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said in a statement. He noted that surveillance cameras showed Stewart torching the store with people inside, while rioters attacked one of the store owners outside.

Related: Suspected Liquor Store Arsonist Charged from Riots

As a result of the fire, one person was seriously injured and another had minor injuries, the Maryland district attorney said in a statement.

The seriously injured person was in the basement and had to spend five days hospitalized for smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning, officials reported.

The co-owner of the liquor store had minor injuries after he escaped through a back door and jumped from the roof, injuring his ankle and getting away in his vehicle, the statement said.

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