Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Burning 'Trump', 'USA' Into Road Using Flamethrower

Craig Philip McQuin, a Glen Burnie, Maryland resident, pleaded guilty to second-degree malicious burning after using an illegal flamethrower to burn the words "TRUMP" and "USA" into a public road. The incident occurred on November 15, 2024, and McQuin was identified through a TikTok video posted by his wife's account showing him igniting the words with a flamethrower and an unknown flammable liquid. As part of his sentence, McQuin received one year of supervised probation, 60 hours of community service, forfeiture of the flamethrower, and paid $5,500 in restitution to the local homeowners association. Judge Richard Trunnell fully suspended a one-year jail sentence in favor of probation, acknowledging McQuin's acceptance of responsibility. The flamethrower used, a Pulsefire model, is banned in Maryland, and McQuin also faced charges of destruction of property and possession of a destructive device. Prior to the guilty plea, McQuin was offered a plea deal with a trial date initially set for August 19, but he ultimately accepted the plea to avoid jail time.