U.S. attorney: Former college professor indicted for arson 'spree' in area of Dixie Fire

David Benda, Redding Record Searchlight
·2 min read
The Ranch Fire shortly after it was discovered the morning of Aug. 7, 2021, in Lassen National Forest. Former professor Gary Maynard faces an arson charge in a criminal complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District.
The Ranch Fire shortly after it was discovered the morning of Aug. 7, 2021, in Lassen National Forest. Former professor Gary Maynard faces an arson charge in a criminal complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District.

The one-time Northern California college professor accused of "an arson-setting spree" in the Shasta-Trinity and Lassen national forests this past summer has been indicted for setting fires behind firefighters battling the massive Dixie Fire.

The U.S. District Court for California's Eastern District announced the indictment on Thursday.

A federal grand jury brought the indictment against Gary Stephen Maynard, 47, of San Jose, charging him with arson to federal property and setting timber on fire, acting U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert said in a news release.

Court documents say Maynard went on an arson spree in the area of the then-ongoing Dixie Fire, which burned nearly 1 million acres and is the second-largest wildfire in California history.

Among the fires Maynard set were fires behind the firefighters fighting the Dixie Fire, which had the dangerous potential of wedging firefighters between the new flames and the Dixie Fire, Talbert has said.

Maynard is charged with setting four fires from late July to early August: Cascade Fire (July 20), Everitt Fire (July 21), Ranch Fire (Aug. 7); and the Conard Fire (Aug. 7), Talbert said.

Maynard drove alone along forest roads starting July 20 from the western slopes of Mt. Shasta to the Lassen National Forest, where a series of suspicious fires started, the criminal complaint alleged.

A U.S. Forest Service special agent was able to shadow Maynard once a tracking device was put under his Kia Soul during a traffic stop near Safeway in Susanville on Aug. 3, according to court documents.

The tracker traced Maynard's meandering route for five days as he drove from Highway 36 to more than 100 miles away in Shasta County and back to Lassen National Forest, according to court records. A federal judge had previously approved the special agent's request for a vehicle tracking warrant.

If Maynard is convicted, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of arson.

Talbert said Maynard is in custody.

Reporter Mike Chapman contributed to this story.

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-225-8219. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Former college professor indicted for arson 'spree' in area of Dixie Fire