College professor charged with setting California fire

An American college professor suspected in a series of arson fires has been charged with setting a small blaze in a forest near Northern California’s massive Dixie Fire, reports Associated Press.

Gary Stephen Maynard was arrested last weekend following an investigation that began on 20 July and included a US Forest Service agent placing a tracking device under his car after he had been stopped briefly by police on 3 August, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Maynard (47) is charged with intentionally setting the Ranch Fire in Lassen County, according to the criminal complaint. Maynard has denied setting the fire, court papers say. The Bee said Maynard taught briefly at Santa Clara University and Sonoma State University, where a Gary Maynard was listed as a lecturer in criminal justice studies specialising in criminal justice, cults and deviant behaviour. He’s no longer with either institution.
Full report on The Washington Times site.