Man Charged in CVS Arson from Baltimore Riots: U.S. Attorney

Officials say the man suspected of torching a CVS during the Baltimore riots is facing a minimum of five years in jail.

Raymon Carter, 24, was taken into custody Wednesday in connection with the arson in the 2500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue that occurred in April, officials said.

According to the criminal complaint against him—which was unsealed Thursday—surveillance footage from the CVS showed looters running around taking merchandise on April 27 while “unlike the looters, Carter is...going to and from the southeast corner of the sales floor.”

At 6:19 p.m., Carter disappeared behind some shelves, and 23 seconds later, a flash of light appeared in the video, according to a report from the Maryland district attorney.

The fire investigator said the flash seemed to be the ignition of the fire, which likely involved lighting paper towels, toilet paper and cardboard items—all located in the aisle where Carter was seen.

Within three minutes of the flash of light appearing, flames were visible in that area, the report said.

The fire caused $1.3 million in damage to the CVS, according to the Maryland district attorney.

CVS has committed to rebuilding the store on Pennsylvania Avenue in addition to a Franklin Street location that was also burned during the riots.

Between April 27 and April 28, there were 73 vehicle and commercial building fires reported in Baltimore, where violence erupted in the hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Baltimore man who died in police custody, according to the criminal complaint.

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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) continues to investigate the arsons that occurred on April 27 and is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest/conviction.

Carter was identified as Pennsylvania Avenue CVS arson suspect after the ATF in May released two photographs taken from the surveillance footage outside the CVS and offered $10,000 for information about the suspect. At least five people identified him, according to the criminal complaint.

“Those committing arson took advantage of our city when we were most vulnerable. Carter’s alleged actions caused over $1 million of damage to this community,” Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said in a statement Thursday. “Thanks to the hard work of the ATF and our detectives, our hope is that we will never have to do this again. We owe a tremendous debt to the community that helped us to identify him. Thank you to our residents.”

Carter made an initial appearance in court Thursday and has a detention hearing slated for July 7, according to the Maryland district attorney, who said he faces a mandatory five-year sentence and a maximum of 20 years in prison for arson.

A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt; all individuals are innocent unless proven guilty in court proceedings.

Screenshot of CVS fire from Mashable/YouTube. Pictured, Raymon Carter. Photo Credit: Baltimore Police.