Two Men Charged With Arson in Federalsburg Shed Fire
Caroline County, MD - On August 7, 2026, at approximately 5:00 a.m., the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company and surrounding departments responded to Federal Manor Apartment Complex, 700 block of Routzahn Lane, Federalsburg, MD for a reported shed fire. About 25 firefighters were called to the scene.
Two months later, two men are now facing arson charges in connection with that fire.
Investigators believe the fire was set on purpose over a car that had been towed from the property.
Crews had the fire under control in about 30 minutes. The fire burned a 12-by-12-foot maintenance shed that the apartment complex used for storage and as a workshop.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal took over the investigation. Deputy State Fire Marshals found that the fire had been set on purpose on the outside of the shed.
As the case moved forward, fire marshals named two men they say were responsible. They are Clayton John Baynard III, 36, of Federalsburg, and Reuben Jerome Johnson Jr., 36, of New Castle, Delaware.
Investigators say the fire was tied to a dispute over a vehicle that had been towed from the apartment complex. They allege Baynard set the fire because Johnson asked him to.
Fire marshals got an arrest warrant for Baynard on August 28, 2026. Maryland State Police arrested him on September 10 and took him to the Easton Barrack.
Baynard is charged with second-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, and malicious destruction of property over $1,000. He is being held at the Caroline County Detention Center.
Fire marshals kept working the case after Baynard was arrested. They got an arrest warrant for Johnson on October 1, 2026.
Johnson was arrested sometime after that warrant was issued. Officials have not said where he was arrested or which agency took him into custody.
Johnson is charged with second-degree arson, conspiracy to commit second-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, and malicious destruction of property over $1,000. He is being held at the Dorchester County Detention Center.
Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.
