Severna Park Man Sentenced in Arson Case After Months-Long Investigation

Aaron Marshall Keel, 60, of Severna Park, will serve over two years in jail after pleading guilty to setting fire to his neighbor's home. Authorities stated that the case stemmed from ongoing disputes within the community's homeowners' association. 

Related: Severna Park Resident Faces Charges for Intentionally Setting Fire to Neighbor's House, Authorities Say - April 30, 2025

On October 15, Keel entered a first-degree arson plea in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court for the April 13 blaze at a vacant home under renovation on Belhaven Court. The property belonged to neighbors Stefanie and Matt Johnson. Judge Richard Trunnell sentenced Keel to 20 years, suspending all but 18 months of active jail time, plus approximately six months already served, totaling about two and a half years in custody.

Following his release, Keel will serve five years of supervised probation, pay $1,000 in restitution, undergo mental health and anger management programs, and avoid contact with the victims. Harassment charges from prior incidents were placed on the stet docket, and the court warned that probation violations could result in significant additional jail time. State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess commented, "The defendant's actions have wrecked the lives of these victims. The emotional and financial cost, along with a lost sense of security at home and in their neighborhood, has taken a huge toll on this family." 

The case began on April 13, 2025, when the Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to a fire at the Johnsons' home. Investigators quickly determined the blaze was intentionally set and linked to an unlawful entry. The most severe damage occurred in the attic of the unoccupied house, which had been undergoing renovations in preparation for family members to move in.

Authorities said the investigation included surveillance footage showing Keel entering the property through a wooded area and later disposing of items in a dumpster near Oak Hill Elementary School. Additional footage documented him purchasing a red gas can and pump sprayer at multiple home improvement stores in Glen Burnie and Bowie. Keel was arrested without incident on April 30, 2025, at his residence in the same neighborhood, following the execution of an arrest and search warrant. At the time, he was formally charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors, including first- and second-degree arson, malicious burning, home invasion, burglary, and property destruction. Investigators believe the fire stemmed from longstanding disagreements over homeowners' association matters, in which one of the victims served as a board member. 

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department's Arson and Explosives Investigation Unit and the State's Attorney's Office were credited for their coordinated work in bringing the case to a resolution. The Fire Department stated, "This outcome underscores the importance of thorough investigative work and interagency collaboration."

To view the charging documents:

State vs. Aaron Keel