Second Man Wanted in Chestertown FireBombing Turns Himself In

QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY, MD – The second of two suspects turned himself in this morning after Deputy State Fire Marshals charged both with multiple arson charges, including Attempted First Degree Murder.

Edward C. Gaines III, 37, was arrested on eighteen charges, including Attempted Arson 1st Degree, five counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, five counts of Conspiracy of Attempted First Degree Murder, one count of Manufacturing and Possession of a Destructive Device, and five counts of Reckless Endangerment.

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at approximately 1:30 a.m, Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 300 block of Fairview Drive in Chestertown for a reported Molotov cocktail thrown at an occupied dwelling. A family of five was inside when the suspects threw a Molotov cocktail at the second-story window of the residence. The Molotov cocktail did not function properly and failed to cause structural damage.

“I’m very thankful for the vigilance, tenacity, and thoughtfulness of our investigators,” State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci said. “Hopefully, the family impacted can sleep easier tonight, knowing both of these individuals have now been arrested.

Gaines turned himself into the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office early this morning, and troopers assigned to the Maryland State Police Centreville barrack took him into custody. Gaines is currently being held without bond at the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center. Investigators also charged Mardell L. Adkins, 37, with the same charges. Adkins turned himself in on October 15, 2020, and continues to be held without bond at Queen Anne’s County Detention Center.

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~ MD State Fire Marshal