MD Fire Marshal Arrests Man in Ridgely Arson Case

RIDGELY, Md. – The Office of the State Fire Marshal has arrested a man following a grand jury indictment for an attempted arson targeting a business in Caroline County.

Deputy State Fire Marshals served an arrest warrant on Friday, Dec. 19, on 26-year-old Marshall Allan Murphy, of Sudlersville. Murphy was indicted on 16 charges, including second-degree arson and three counts of attempted second-degree arson.

Officials say the arrest follows a six-month investigation into an attempted arson at Murphy’s Transport, a trucking and transportation company. Investigators determined the company was targeted due to an ongoing dispute between Murphy and the owner. In July, the owner discovered fire damage in one vehicle and ignitable liquid poured inside three additional vehicles, causing an estimated $100,000 in total damages.

Murphy was arrested without incident in Greensboro. He is being held at the Caroline County Department of Corrections without bond.