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‘He is only not a killer by the grace of God:’ Former police chief sentenced to 55 years for setting fires in Clarksburg
BethesdaMagazine ^ | 2/14/26 | Ceoli Jacoby

Posted on 02/14/2026 3:47:03 PM PST by CFW

Bethesda, Maryland -- A former Laurel police chief on Friday was sentenced to 55 years in prison for setting three fires at two Clarksburg properties owned by his stepson and daughter-in-law between 2016 and 2020.

David Michael Crawford, 74, of Ellicott City, is already serving two consecutive life sentences plus 75 years for similar crimes he committed in Howard County. He is also implicated in several other arsons across Anne Arundel, Charles, Frederick and Prince George’s counties between 2011 and 2020, according to prosecutors.

The fires targeted people known to Crawford and his wife, including several of Crawford’s former coworkers with whom he had issues, prosecutors said. Crawford’s wife is not charged with any crimes in connection with the fires.

Crawford pleaded guilty on Friday to two counts of first-degree arson and one count of second-degree arson in connection with the fires targeting his stepson and daughter-in-law.

In exchange for Crawford’s guilty plea, Montgomery County prosecutors agreed that he be allowed to serve his 55-year sentence at the same time as his earlier sentence. Crawford appeared in court remotely on Friday from the Maine Correctional Center where he is imprisoned.

[snip]

In her remarks to the court Friday, Mariam Scherstrom described a troubled relationship between her family and Crawford, who she said took issue with her Persian ancestry and the that she and her husband chose not to baptize their children.

She said she struggles every day with “fear that someone could be out to get me.”

Justin Scherstrom said it was hard for him to believe at first that his stepfather, whom he has known since he was seven years old, would do anything to harm his family.

“He is only not a killer by the grace of God,” Justin Scherstrom said of Crawford.

(Excerpt) Read more at bethesdamagazine.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: arson; corruption; crimetruth; democrap; democrappos; donutwatch; evil; leo; maryland; md
Wow! Talk about an evil police chief! Here is a doozy!

If someone ticked off the guy, he'd burn their property down. Even his stepson's property.

1 posted on 02/14/2026 3:47:03 PM PST by CFW
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To: CFW

Notice that the Treason Pedophile Media is not interested in whether he’s a Democrap POS or not....


2 posted on 02/14/2026 5:34:02 PM PST by an amused spectator (principled conservatism is Lefty subterfuge)
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To: an amused spectator

I would think any defendant in any case would have a right to a judicial review of evidence along with deposition of the officers involved. Dirty Crawford has not limit. And his wife is dirty too.


3 posted on 02/14/2026 7:55:05 PM PST by healy61
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