Rockville, Md- In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Eric Johnson sentenced defendant Robert Simms, 36, of Rockville, to 45 years in prison, suspending all but 25 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. The sentencing hearing was held on June 25, 2026. On February 5, 2026, Simms pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and three counts of reckless endangerment.
On April 4, 2025, Simms intentionally set fire to an apartment he was familiar with in the 18300 block of Feathertree Way in Montgomery Village. The fire occurred at the apartment’s front door. The four occupants of the residence at the time were forced onto the balcony because the apartment’s only exit was blocked by flames. Eventually, the fire was contained by the building’s sprinkler system. Investigators detected the presence of gasoline at the scene. Surveillance video shows the suspect carrying a red gasoline container toward the apartment moments before a large flash and fire erupted. Earlier in the day, the defendant threatened the victim who lived in the apartment after being asked to leave her residence. He stated he would return later. At the time the fire was set, the woman was inside with three other people. The fire caused an estimated $375,000 worth of damage. The victim’s apartment was deemed uninhabitable.
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Assistant State’s Attorneys Margot Wenzel and Adrienne Ferrell prosecuted this case.
We are thankful to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, Montgomery County Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their response and comprehensive investigation. In addition, the Maryland State Police Forensic Lab assisted with the analysis of evidence.
“The defendant’s actions were terrifying. He endangered the lives of many innocent people,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy. “The defendant set a fire during the day inside an occupied apartment building containing multiple residential units. This lengthy sentence is appropriate, and we are gratified by Judge Johnson’s handling of this matter.”
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