Conard Fire News Today

(KRON) — A former Bay Area university professor admitted to setting arson blazes around firefighters who were battling the Dixie Fire, the largest single wildfire in California’s history. Gary Stephen Maynard, 49, of San Jose, pleaded guilty on Thursday to three counts of arson on federal property. He faces up to 20 years in prison […]

U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert Thursday announced Gary Stephen Maynard, 49, of San Jose, pleaded guilty today to three counts of arson on federal property.

A criminal justice professor who has worked at various California colleges pleaded guilty Thursday after being charged with setting a series of blazes near the massive Dixie Fire in 2021. Gary Stephen Maynard, 49, pleaded guilty to three counts of arson to federal property in Sacramento federal court before U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta.

A criminal justice professor who has worked at various California colleges pleaded guilty Thursday after being charged with setting a series of blazes near the massive Dixie Fire in 2021. Gary Stephen Maynard, 49, pleaded guilty to three counts of arson to federal property in Sacramento federal court before U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta.

Gary Stephen Maynard, 49, of San Jose, pleaded guilty to three arson counts in connection to fires in the Shasta National Forest and near the Dixie Fire in the Lassen National Forest, the Justice Department said on Thursday.

“It appeared that Maynard was in the midst of an arson-setting spree.”

A former Sonoma State University criminal justice professor pled guilty Thursday to starting multiple fires around the massive Dixie Fire and in Shasta County, prosecutors said.

A former college instructor was indicted for allegedly starting fires near California firefighters who were battling a wildfire. 

A former college instructor was indicted for allegedly starting fires near California firefighters who were battling a wildfire. 

Gary Stephen Maynard faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the "arson-setting spree" that took place near the then-ongoing Dixie Fire.