Trendpills
Two Montgomery County firefighters have been acquitted of charges that they intentionally flooded a high school baseball field to force the postponement of a youth championship game. On Thursday, a Maryland judge found Captain Alan “Lee” Bures and Firefighter Joseph M. “Joey” Smith not guilty of malicious destruction of property and conspiracy.
The incident occurred in July 2025, when the two men were accused of using a pumper truck from the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department to drench the baseball field at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. Prosecutors alleged their motive was to render the field unplayable for a game in which their sons’ team was scheduled to compete, as the team was reportedly short on players.
During the trial in the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County, Judge Rand L. Gelber ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. While he described the act as "stupid," "immature," and "juvenile," Gelber stated there was a "paucity of evidence" to demonstrate malicious intent to destroy property, which is a required element for a conviction on the specific charges filed. The damage to the field was estimated to be over $1,000. News of the incident also led to the suspension of another volunteer deputy chief from a different company who was also allegedly involved.
Following the verdict, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office expressed disappointment but respected the court’s decision. While Bures and Smith have been cleared of criminal wrongdoing, their professional futures remain uncertain. The two men, who had been on administrative leave, will now face an internal administrative investigation by the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS). The outcome of this internal review will determine any disciplinary action or their potential return to duty. The case renewed discussions around the off-duty conduct of public service employees and the standards they are held to by their departments. The charges related specifically to the baseball field's flooding brought significant attention to the department's internal policies.
