*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***
May 31, 2016
"Fire Selfie" Arsonist Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison
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Annapolis, MD -- Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams announced today that Justin Michael Clum, 26, of Pasadena, was sentenced Friday to 55 years in jail by Circuit Court Judge Ronald A. Silkworth for attempted first degree murder, first degree arson, first degree assault, and 22 other related counts, after intentionally setting fire to a house on Wendover Road in Glen Burnie. Clum pled guilty to all 25 charges on February 9, 2016. "I am pleased that Judge Silkworth recognized this repeat offender as a threat to the citizens of Anne Arundel County," said Wes Adams, Anne Arundel County State's Attorney. "Mr. Clum's intentional and reckless actions in his attempt to kill one intended victim, almost killed another man, woman and child as they slept. His actions also put 23 of our first responders in harm's way as they battled this blaze in the middle of the night." In the early morning hours of July 17, 2015, Clum and his girlfriend were drinking vodka on a community pier when Clum learned of a past sexual relationship between his girlfriend and another man. Clum obtained gasoline and drove to the man's home with his girlfriend. He poured gasoline on the front porch and set the home on fire, intending to kill the man. The intended victim was not home when the fire was set; however, three other people inside the single-family home escaped after working smoke alarms gave warning. It took 23 firefighters about an hour to control the fire. The house was destroyed. Clum fled the scene and returned the same day to take pictures of the destruction. These photos have been referred to in the media as "fire selfies." "Through his willful actions, the defendant put the lives of the occupants of the home, responding firefighters and the public at risk," said Fire Chief Allan Graves. "This sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions and reflects the continued high level of cooperation between the fire department arson investigators and the State's Attorney's Office." "I am grateful for Anne Arundel County Fire Chief Graves and his courageous team of firefighters who work hard to keep our citizens safe every single day," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams. Assistant State's Attorney Jason Miller prosecuted the case on behalf of the State. Judge Ronald A. Silkworth presided over the case. Related Information and Photos: Clum pled guilty in February to all 25 counts in his indictment including: 4 counts of attempted first degree murder 4 counts of attempted second degree murder 2 counts of first degree arson 1 count of second degree arson 4 counts of first degree assault 4 counts of second degree assault 4 counts of reckless endangerment 1 count of malicious burning 1 count of malicious destruction of property
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| Caption: Photos recovered from Justin Clum's phone |
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