Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Three Baltimore Area Residents Convicted In Arson And Wire Fraud Scheme, Obstruction, Witness Tampering
Set Three Residences On Fire In Baltimore and Pennsylvania
Baltimore, Maryland – On June 21, 2017, Greg Ramsey, 55, of Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to use of fire to commit wire fraud, malicious destruction of property by fire, and attempted witness tampering. Ramsey’s plea came on the third day of trial.
The conviction was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Daniel L. Board Jr., Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, Baltimore City Fire Chief Niles R. Ford, PhD, Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Brian Geraci, Maryland State Fire Marshal,United States Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Christopher Caruso, and Department of Homeland Security Special Agent in Charge Andre Watson.
According to his plea agreement, Ramsey and Teryaeva-Reed set fire to three separate residences between October 2012 and August 2013, two in Baltimore, and one in Weatherly, PA. The fires spread to adjoining residences and did substantial damage. Two of the residences were occupied at the time. In addition, the pair set two vehicles on fire in August of 2013 in the area of Walbrook Ave. and N. Dukeland Street, which spread to a nearby church. The fires were set in an effort to obtain money from insurance companies for the claims related to the fire damage.
Teryaeva-Reed was initially charged by the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office and arrested at JFK airport as she was about to board a flight to Ukraine in 2013. In 2015, Ramsey planned to have a relative, Tyesha Roberts, testify falsely for Teyaeva-Reed at trial for $2,000. Ramsey also plotted to assist in the murder of another witness. In November 2015, Ramsey produced a loaded .357 Ruger revolver, which was to be used for the murder, and he was arrested.
Ramsey’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 15, 2017, before the Honorable George L. Russell III.
Coconspirator Julia Teryaeva-Reed, 33, a citizen of Ukraine, previously pled guilty to use of fire to commit a federal felony, wire fraud, and malicious destruction of real property by fire. Coconspirator Tyesha Roberts, 38, of Baltimore, previously pled guilty to attempted obstruction of an official proceeding. Both are pending sentencing.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Baltimore City Police, the Baltimore City Fire Department, the Maryland State Police, the Maryland State Fire Marshal, the United States Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security for its work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Maddox, Judson T. Mihok, and Zachary Myers, who prosecuted the case.
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