Mechanicsville Man Charged in Connection to Two Separate Arsons Involving Family Property
ST. MARY’S COUNTY, MD (June 23, 2025) — In a disturbing case of suspected serial arson, authorities in St. Mary’s County have charged a 47-year-old Mechanicsville man with deliberately setting fire to both his own residence and his parents’ vehicle in two separate incidents occurring just days apart. The man, identified as Michael Robert Guy, is now in custody and facing multiple felony arson charges after allegedly confessing to the crimes during an official investigation.
According to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, the first incident took place in the early morning hours of Monday, June 23, when fire crews were dispatched shortly after 1:00 a.m. to a reported dwelling fire located at 27099 Morganza Turner Road in Mechanicsville. Upon arrival, firefighters from the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department found the home fully engulfed in flames, with the fire originating in the attached garage and rapidly spreading to consume the remainder of the structure.
Despite the efforts of first responders, the residence was ultimately deemed a total loss. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the blaze. Given the magnitude of the fire and suspicious circumstances surrounding its origin, the State Fire Marshal’s Office was immediately brought in to investigate.
Through a thorough scene examination and investigative interviews, Deputy State Fire Marshals determined that the fire had been intentionally set. Their probe quickly led them to identify Michael Robert Guy, the occupant of the home, as the primary suspect. With assistance from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Guy was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack for questioning.
During the course of the interview, Guy reportedly confessed to setting the fire at his residence. In a surprising revelation, he also admitted to a second arson incident that had occurred just two days earlier, on Saturday morning, involving his parents’ vehicle — a 2003 Cadillac — which had been found burned near the intersection of Ted Drive and Ted Circle in Avenue, Maryland.
At the time of the vehicle fire, the cause had still been under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Guy’s confession helped link the two cases together, providing investigators with crucial information to close both arson investigations. The motive behind the arsons has not yet been publicly disclosed, and authorities have not commented on any possible underlying mental health issues or family disputes.
As a result of the investigation, Guy has been officially charged with first-degree and second-degree arson, serious felonies under Maryland law. He was subsequently booked into the St. Mary’s County Detention Center, where he is currently being held without bond, pending further court proceedings.
The incidents have shocked the typically quiet community of Mechanicsville and raised concerns about the wellbeing of those involved. Authorities commend the swift cooperation between fire investigators, sheriff’s deputies, and state police that led to a quick arrest and likely prevented any further acts of arson.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal continues to urge the public to report any suspicious fire activity and encourages families to seek mental health resources if they suspect a loved one may be in crisis. Further details, including court dates and additional charges, are expected as the case progresses through the legal system.
Anyone with additional information about either of the incidents is encouraged to contact the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Southern Regional Office.