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Greenbelt, Maryland – A Maryland man has pleaded guilty in federal court to an arson charge related to an incident where he intentionally set fire to a commercial building, according to information released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. The guilty plea was announced jointly with federal and state law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.
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The individual, identified as Shawn Justice, aged 38, from Avenue, Maryland, entered a guilty plea to one count of arson. The proceedings were overseen by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal.
Court documents outline that the offense occurred on October 29, 2025, when Justice entered Pasha Lounge, a bar and hookah establishment located in Waldorf, Maryland. He reportedly gained entry through the front door and proceeded to a humidor within the establishment. According to the details of his plea, Justice then scattered cigars on the floor inside the humidor, poured liquor over them, ignited a paper towel roll, and subsequently threw the burning roll onto the alcohol-soaked cigars. This action resulted in the humidor catching fire and spreading, causing estimated losses to the lounge exceeding $80,000.
Justice now faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the arson charge. U.S. District Judge Theodore J. Chuang has scheduled the sentencing hearing for Friday, March 5, 2027, at 2:30 p.m. It is important to note that federal sentencing typically considers the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, which may result in a sentence less than the maximum penalty.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office commended the thorough investigative work conducted by the ATF and the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Treiger is prosecuting the case.
Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland
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