Investigation Reveals Pattern of Fires at Residence Shared with 96-Year-Old Mother

CECIL COUNTY, MD (April 10, 2026) - Deputy State Fire Marshals arrested a Warwick man early Friday morning in connection with a series of intentionally set fires at a Cecil County farm.

On April 10, 2026, Cecilton Vol. Fire Co and surrounding fire departments responded just after 4:00 a.m. to the 1100 block of Middleneck Road in Warwick for a reported shed fire. Upon arrival, firefighters located a shed fully involved, with the fire extending into additional sheds, a chicken coop, and a pickup truck. Firefighters were able to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to the home and a nearby large garage.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal was requested to investigate, and a team of Deputy State Fire Marshals responded to the scene.

Through the course of the investigation, Wallace Pleasanton, 67, who resides at the property with his 96-year-old mother, was identified as the person responsible for setting the fire. Investigators determined the fire originated in a shed and was intentionally set. Further examination of the property revealed evidence of multiple prior fires that had been set and either extinguished or allowed to burn out.

With the assistance of the Cecil County Sheriff's Office, Pleasanton was taken into custody at the scene. He has been charged with second-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, and malicious destruction of property over $1,000.

This incident follows a separate case from January 2026, where Pleasanton was charged after investigators determined he had intentionally set fire to his mother’s John Deere utility vehicle inside a garage at the same address.

“We recognize the impact incidents like this have on families, especially when they occur at a home,” said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray. “We hope today’s arrest brings some sense of relief and allows the family, particularly his mother, to begin to feel at peace.”

Pleasanton is currently being held at the Cecil County Detention Center without bond.