ALLEGANY COUNTY, MD. — A West Virginia volunteer firefighter has been convicted of setting three fires that damaged 57 acres in Green Ridge State Forest in Allegany County, Md.
Brian Twigg of Paw Paw, 20, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony 1st degree malicious burning.
He was sentenced to four years in prison with all but six months suspended and placed on supervised probation for five years.
Twigg also was ordered to pay $13,814 in restitution.
Maryland Natural Resources police investigators determined that fires between March and April were intentionally set.
Evidence and tips led back to Twigg who was a volunteer firefighter. He was was arrested April 24.
In addition to the counts of malicious burning, Twigg was charged with malicious destruction of property and maliciously setting fires.
Together, the charges carried a maximum prison sentence of 39 years and a fine of up to $28,500.
Misdemeanors were dropped as part of Twigg’s guilty plea.