Outline:
Maryland Firebombing Case: Two Defendants to Serve Decades in Prison
Two of the three individuals accused in the 2022 firebombing of a Columbia apartment building are now facing significant prison sentences. The case, which involved a violent act that left multiple people injured and caused extensive property damage, has led to long-term consequences for those involved.
Cory Tomlin, 42, from Halethorpe, and Shannon Williams, 46, from Ocean City, were found guilty of various charges related to the April 2022 firebombing at The Bluffs at Hawthorn apartments, located along Hickory Ridge Road. The incident occurred at around 3:35 a.m., when a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the apartment of a resident named Steven DiMarzo. This act of violence resulted in injuries to a firefighter and a resident who required hospitalization due to complications from the fire. The estimated property loss was $500,000.
The firebombing was sparked by an argument between Tomlin and DiMarzo. According to charging documents, Tomlin, who is known to police as a drug dealer and had been shot in Laurel earlier that year, recruited Charles Kosh Jr., 48, from Columbia, to assist in a “revenge” scheme in exchange for drugs. Kosh, who pleaded guilty to first-degree arson on Tuesday morning, testified against his co-defendants in three separate trials.
Sentencing Details
Tomlin received a 60-year sentence after a jury found him guilty on two counts of first-degree arson, two counts of conspiring to commit first-degree arson, possession of incendiary/explosive materials with intent to create a destructive device, and reckless endangerment. He was convicted in a September 2025 trial, following a 2024 jury trial that ended in a mistrial. Tomlin appealed his case in the Appellate Court of Maryland on December 30.
Williams, who was also convicted on the same six charges as Tomlin, faced additional charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted first- and second-degree murder. She was given a sentence of 115 years, with all but 50 suspended. In November, the Appellate Court struck down an appeal from Williams.
Kosh, who has since become sober and expressed a desire to attend Bible college, apologized to the people affected by his actions in court. He detailed how he is now working to help others struggling with addiction. During the hearing, Kosh held up a composite notebook he called his “book of inspiration,” where he writes something positive from each day.
Judicial Response
Judge Mary M. Kramer, who presided over the plea hearing, looked over Kosh’s notebook and acknowledged the severity of the offense. However, she expressed hope that Kosh could make positive changes. “I see a person who recognizes the changes he needs to make and has been walking the walk,” Kramer said. “I do not believe he is a danger to public safety and actually think [he] has things to contribute.”
Kramer will hand down a sentence at Kosh’s disposition hearing on March 5.
Impact on the Community
A victim impact statement shared with the court highlighted the lasting effects of the firebombing. One man stated, “Many of my neighbors were homeless for weeks. … The defendants did not care.” The incident not only caused immediate harm but also disrupted the lives of many residents in the area.
The case underscores the serious consequences of violent acts driven by personal conflicts and addiction. It also highlights the role of the legal system in holding individuals accountable for their actions while considering the potential for rehabilitation.