ALLEGANY COUNTY, Md. — A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the intentional burning of a tree at Radiant Life Church in Cumberland, Maryland, following an investigation that involved surveillance footage and an unexpected lead from Facebook.
The incident occurred on December 9, 2024, just after 5:00 p.m., when a tree on the property of the church at 212 Park Street was set on fire. Firefighters from the Cumberland Fire Department quickly extinguished the blaze, and subsequent investigations by the Cumberland Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire had been intentionally set. The Office of the State Fire Marshal joined the investigation after surveillance footage captured the suspect’s actions but could not immediately confirm his identity.
The case took a turn when Deputy State Fire Marshal Adam Rounds stumbled across a lead while scrolling through the Facebook page BCPF Reality News. Recognizing the suspect from the footage, Deputy Rounds worked with the Cumberland Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Bedford Borough Police to identify the man as Dalton Richard Eugene Gates, 32.
“While it may have been a tree, any fire set intentionally—regardless of the property involved—poses a significant danger to public safety,” Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray said in a statement. “Through collaboration and careful investigative work, Deputy Rounds was able to link Gates to the arson. The Office of the State Fire Marshal takes every fire seriously and remains committed to investigating and holding individuals accountable for reckless actions.”
Gates was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police on January 2, 2025, and is being held at the Bedford County Correctional Facility. He is awaiting extradition to Maryland, where he is expected to face charges related to the arson.