More Suspects in Arson Fires

GREENBELT, Md. —  The fires that caused an estimated $10 million in damages at an upscale housing development in a Washington suburb were set by unidentified “acquaintances” in addition to the four men already charged in the case, according to court documents filed Monday.

The documents also allege details of the setting of the fires, describing two vehicles and a number of flammable materials

Two possible motives, race and revenge, are among the theories that have emerged during questioning of the four men in custody, an official has said.

The Dec. 6 fires at a housing development under construction destroyed at least 10 houses and damaged 16 others. No one was injured.

Three of the suspects, all 20 -- Patrick Walsh of Fort Washington, Jeremy Parady of Accokeek and Michael Everhart of Waldorf -- are to appear at a detention hearing Thursday.

Parady’s lawyer, Tim Sullivan, said he would argue that his client should be released on bond. “He’s a volunteer firefighter who has taken an oath to protect lives and protect property, and he’s innocent of these charges,” Sullivan said.

The fourth suspect, Aaron Speed, 21, was arrested separately last week and was to appear in court today.

Speed was a security guard at the development, and Parady was a volunteer firefighter in nearby Accokeek.

The affidavits allege that Parady, Walsh and Everhart, all arrested Saturday on arson charges, initially denied their involvement in separate interrogations, but changed their stories after they were confronted with evidence. All three told investigators that additional “acquaintances” were involved.