Dorchester man accused of burning his own home

Charges include attempted first-degree murder

Dorchester Banner
Posted 9/21/22

MADISON -  Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged a 38-year-old Madison man with numerous crimes after he allegedly intentionally set his own home on fire. 

On Sept. 14, deputy state …

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Dorchester man accused of burning his own home

Charges include attempted first-degree murder

Posted

MADISON - Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged a 38-year-old Madison man with numerous crimes after he allegedly intentionally set his own home on fire. 

On Sept. 14, deputy state fire marshals, along with deputies from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, responded to 4658 White Marsh Road in Madison, at the request of the Madison Volunteer Fire Department.

The fire department had responded to that address at 1:28 p.m. for a fire in a one-story single-family dwelling after it was discovered by a neighbor. It took 30 firefighters from the Madison and surrounding fire departments 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

During the investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, it was determined that the fire was intentionally set in multiple locations throughout the home. Damages to the home are estimated to be $100,000. Smoke alarms were present in the home and did activate.

The man’s juvenile daughter was in the home at the time of the incident. The man confessed to investigators that he intentionally set the home on fire because of maintenance problems he has been dealing with, a statement from the Office of the State Fire Marshal said.

A brief struggle ensued among the suspect, deputy state fire marshals and a Dorchester County sheriff’s deputy before the man was taken into custody. Larry Herd Jr. was charged by deputy state fire marshals with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, arson first degree, arson second degree, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest. He was seen by a Court Commissioner, then transported to the Dorchester County Detention center where he is being held without bond.

If convicted of all charges, Herd faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for the attempted first-degree murder charge and 98 years imprisonment and/or $90,000 in fines for the remaining charges.

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