ARSON: Allen Johnson charged with torching his apartment
CUMBERLAND, MD – Deputy State Fire Marshal Carl Witmer has charged Allen Lavar Johnson, 40, of 109 Race Street Apt. 1, Cumberland, Md., who intentionally set his apartment on fire. Officials didn’t note whether Johnson was simply trying to avoid paying his rent, which he won’t have to worry about his new residence in the slammer – it’s free.
On September 11, 2018, at approximately 3:18 am the Cumberland Fire Department responded to a house fire located at 109 Race Street, Cumberland, Allegany County. A fire was located in the interior of the residence. Cumberland Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an origin and cause investigation.
Fire Marshal’s report that the Cumberland Fire Marshal’s Office requested the assistance of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. As a result of the joint investigation, Allen Lavar Johnson was charged with Arson 1st Degree, Malicious Burning 1st Degree, and Malicious Burning Fraud.
Johnson declined to provide a statement to the investigators. Total damages were estimated at $31,500.
Johnson was initially transported by a Deputy from the Office of the State Fire Marshal to Maryland State Police Barrack for processing. Subsequently, he was transported to the Allegany County Jail where he is being held without bond.
On April 14, 2017, Johnson’s charges of identity theft, fraud, and attempted theft were put on the Stet Docket in Allegany County Circuit Court. In recent years, Johnson has been convicted of false imprisonment while rape charges were dropped in a plea deal that landed him in jail for six months on Nov. 3, 2015. A conviction for disorderly conduct landed him in the hoosegow for ten days on Oct. 21, 2016.
