Click here and here for much more on this arson case & Jerry Engle
Watch May, 2009 interview with Jerry Engle
See video of Engle’s unique car
Video of the March 17, 2008 fire at 5413 Riverdale Road
Jerry, back in the day. Click the image to watch the other side of Mr. Engle.
In May of last year Jerry Engle told me he did not set fire to the vacant house at 5413 Riverdale Road on March 17, 2008, but instead blamed it on other firefighters Engle had turned in to Prince George’s County fire investigators. My guess is that those familiar with the long saga of Mr. Engle won’t be surprised to learn that Jerry didn’t tell me the truth that day (I know I am not surprised).
This morning the 46-year-old Engle entered a guilty plea on second-degree arson. Besides his time at Riverdale VFD (when the fire occurred), Engle had previously been a long-time member of Kentland VFD. After leaving Riverdale he ran with both Bladensburg and Riverdale Heights.
Co-defendant James Martinez, who was also a Riverdale volunteer and a career firefighter in Montgomery County, is scheduled for trial in a month.
Rather than tell the whole story of Jerry Engle again (even I get tired of that stuff) you can listen to the interview (sorry, only Part 1 is available online) and follow the links to the extensive file available on STATter911.com.
Below is the press release from the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney:
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, Glenn F. Ivey announced today that volunteer firefighter, Jerome Engle, 46, of Bowie, pleaded guilty to second degree arson in connection with setting fire to a building located at 5413 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, MD on March 17, 2008.
Mr. Engle was a firefighter with the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department.
As part of the plea agreement Engle faces up to 10 years in prison but could receive the guideline recommendation from the sentencing commission of 1 year in jail. The State’s Attorney will seek $200,000 restitution from Mr. Engle on behalf of the property owners.
“We expect our firefighters to battle blazes not burn buildings. Mr. Engle not only violated the public trust but also put property and people at risk. We are holding him accountable with today’s conviction,” said Glenn F. Ivey.
A sentencing and restitution hearing is set for July 1, 2010 in front of Judge Graydon McKee who oversaw today’s proceedings.
The co-defendant in the case James R. Martinez of Damascus is set for trial on July 22.
Investigation of this and similar incidents is on-going; anyone with information should contact the Prince George’s County Fire Department at 301-77ARSON.
Statement from Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Chief Eugene Jones:
“As the Fire Chief of this Department, I fully support the work of the States Attorney’s Office in reaching a guilty plea in this case of arson. I commend their staff as well as the Fire/EMS Department’s Fire Investigators for their due diligence in compiling evidence and building the case. I also want to acknowledge the volunteer leadership of the Riverdale Fire/EMS Station for their support and cooperation during this difficult period.
To the citizens and residents of Prince George’s County; this heinous act is a result of the actions of individuals and should not be a systemic assessment of our Department. Our combination, volunteer and career, Fire/EMS Department strives to provide the very best in fire and emergency medical services possible and are dedicated and committed to keeping our County safe from the perils of all hazards.
One person has been deemed guilty for his actions and a second person is soon to have his day in court.“
Also on STATter911 …
- Karl Granzow Jr., former PGFD deputy chief, admits extortion & tax evasion. Raid on fire department office lead to arrest of County Executive Jack Johnson. – July 18, 2011
- UPDATED: PGFD says fire that hurt seven firefighters was arson. New picture from burn unit of Bladensburg VFD’s Kevin O’Toole. – February 29, 2012
- Fireground audio & morning update: Seven firefighters hurt in Prince George’s County, MD when high winds send ‘blowtorch’ through home. Two from Bladensburg admitted to burn center. Both critical. – February 24, 2012
- UPDATE: Marc Bashoor new Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department chief. Read letter to PGFD employees & volunteers. – December 6, 2010
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Well now we Jerry is not crazy just a plain old re-tard
What a joke, 1 year in jail. I hope they sentence that fraud to the maximum sentence allowed by law. I guess he will be selling his “freakmobile” to help pay for the monetary restitution. Don’t fret though, he will turn up again as a volunteer somewhere after he does his jail time.
The interview is indeed memorable. Watch a man who thinks he can lie and not get caught. I’m hoping you might be able to score another “follow-up” interview that would give him a chance to stand up, be a man, and apologize to the brothers he fingered, apologize to the brothers who fought the arson fire, and the fire service community as a whole for being such a prick.
Now seriously, was there ever any doubt that Engle’s time as a FF would end this way?
He and his type are the reason so many of the public and career force dont trust us volunteers.
I cannot believe that they would reccomend the 1 year instead of going for the whole thing, he gives the volunteer/career firefighters a bad name.
Steve, don’t forget the other guy is(was?) a career firefighter in MoCo. It gives career staff a little black eye as well.
I think being a fire fighter, wait….The Greatest Fireman, he should be sentenced to the Max. Hell, if a FF can do arson and only get a year, what kind of message does that send out to other would-be arsonist? Let him rot. Let him stay long enough to become the Mayor @ his new residence.
Engle will get exactly what he deserves. One can only believe the Judge will sentence him to the maximum allowed by Law. 10 Years behind Bars. Engle has brought shame and disgrace to the entire Fire and EMS Service. It should be kept in mind by everyone Engle doesnot represent the Volunteers who every day do a good and decent job receiving the necessary Training and meeting the Standards as their Career Counterparts. I also hope the Judge will deliver the $200,000.00 Restitution Engles owes the owners of the Structure. Engle is no real Firefighter by any Professional definition. He is a do nothing worthless
weasel. Engle will find out just how great and good he may think of himself in prison. His Lies about blaming other Firefighters for the Arson is an absolute disgrace. He pretty much threw the other Firefighters under the Bus, so to speak.
The mere mention of this Dirt Bag’s name and associated alledged Firefighting experience makes me sick. One can only hope that the Prosecution and Judge will make a permanent record of Engle that he is/willnot ever associate himself anywhere with the Fire and EMS Service. Fire Depts Both Career/Volunteere do make Back ground Investigations. Engle is
a disgusting slime ball, who in his mind may have thoughts of self Respect and Moral Integrity. Let us never forget Any thoughts of these Human Traits are in his Backside. He flushes them everyday. Engle 3-Hots and a Cot for a Long Time. Have a Nice Day, you miserable excuse for a Human Being.
Thank You
Okay, the article said that he faces a possibility of 10 years in prison but there is the “possibility” the sentencing commission could give him a year. I see the rest of the folks here saying he is possibly going to get the year. While none of us knows what this commission will do, nor the details of the plea agreement, is there a sentencing commission in MD so asleep at the switch that they’d give this mutt a year?
Not that I am an advocate of his situation (or other firefighter arsonists), had he not been such a self-seeking blowhard who professes to be the greatest fireman alive, I’d probably be a LITTLE more sympathetic (note emphasis on a LITTLE). But because of his total attitude, I hope they bury him under the jail as an example to the other arsonist scumbags who have figured out a way into our ranks and then give the fire service a bad reputation. I’m hoping this “one year” is simply speculation on everyone’s behalf and they throw not only the book, but the bookcase at him.
James Martinez was seperated from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue last month. He is no longer employed by them
Now we can wrap this up as the final chapter in his worthless book, and the only thing left to do with my copy is wipe my dirty crack with it and flush it down with the rest of the mess. If will be quite fitting since he is nothing more than a piece of s**t himself.
Hats off to Montgomery County for separating the individual. Maybe him and Jerry could start a jailhouse fire brigade.
Get ready for his new book. “Probe Me Days – My life as a prison b*#%+”
Great job by all the Pg departments that let him be a member. I wonder how many other fires were set by these dirtbags.
well i wish the worst for him he has made his bed and i feel he should sleep in it for as long as possible and regardless career or volunteer its a team effort we are both held to the same standerd and the public relies on us. I my self was one of the firemen rongfully accused by this (POS) i have spent the last 400 plus days on no contact status waiting to see this descrace be sentenced i hope he gets the maximum for indangering the lives of firemen and the public and makeing a mockery of the (PGVFD)
This guy looks like Kramer from Seinfeld in his mug shot. Another fire service ‘superstar’ from a very strange county fire service …
C’mon guys this is Hookmans idol!!
Hopefully as everyone has suggested, he does get the max. Also before his “freakmobile” is possibly sold [who the hell would want it anyway], all the tools and appliances mounted on it will be returned to the rightful owners. [ they were extras; or out of date to be in service, my ass ]
Dave, I would hope that you would use your site to better the world we live in. How about posting the Name and mailing address of the prosecuting attorney and the Judge hearing the case, so we, real firefighters, can have our voices be heard against anything less than the maximum sentence and restitution for this “NEVER WAS A FIREFIGHTER”. Once an arsonist, thats all you ever were. To continue to list “Firefighter” with his name is a slap in the face to all of us we give a crap about our friends and neighbors and do a job not looking for glory or praise. Some of us get it, and then those that never had it, got it or will ever get it.
This guy is a insult to Fire and Ems across the nation. What a joke and glad he is done!!
@ jr fireman…junior if you really knew me, you would know that my idol was Chet from the show Emergency…however, you probably weren’t alive when it aired.
In reading the most recent comment concerning Engle’s cartoon vehicle, one can only hope that every piece of the equipment and other Fire Dept identification will be returned to the rightful owners. Most important I am inclined to believe is “One can only Hope the Kentland VFD Authorities will step forward and demand, and/or physically remove their Fire Dept.
Insignia.” As was previously stated it seems reasonable and necessary to ensure that the Court will impose a permanent
part of Engle’s record, “That he never again associate himself/his name with any Fire and EMS Organization”. Everyone knows and has expressed the Professional Reasons why this miserable Bold Faced Cheat and Liar must never have any Fire Dept/ EMS Association.
Thank You
It would be a real shame if this moron only gets one year. This guy may be the biggest embaressment to the fire service I have ever heard of.
What an idiot. Nations busiest and Greatest firefighter, Jerry your a pathetic excuse for a human being. No one is intimidated by you buddy, your a disgrace to the fire service. You said so badly you wanted to the truth to be known, well its known and you sir look like a retard.
To all the brother’s out there who have read this article. Remember this, if your Career or Volunteer, everyday you go to work, you are not only representing your community and your fire department, you are representing the brotherhood. So be kind, courteous, and Professional at all times no exceptions.
Interesting comments. Scroll back through the archives and you will find people who regale Jerry as “a fireman’s fireman” and someone whom the rest of us should “look up to” and “respect” for his “bravery.” Where are the accolades now? He is was much of a dumbass and a criminal then as he is today. Trash, plain and simple.