BALTIMORE (AP) - A source close to the investigation said today that a security guard who worked at a southern Maryland subdivision where a series of fires were set has been arrested and charged in the case.

The source says 21-year-old Aaron Speed is in custody and is to appear tomorrow in federal court.

Speed is an employee of Security Services of America, a company hired to guard the Hunters Brooke subdivision in Indian Head. Fires broke out there early December sixth, doing $10 million in damage.

The source says the charges against Speed won't be available tonight.

David Jaillet, whose stepdaughter is married to Speed, says authorities searched the Waldorf home of Speed's parents on last night. Jaillet says he does not know why the home was searched.

Officials with Security Services of America, which is based in Morehead City, North Carolina, did not return calls seeking comment.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Date published: 12/16/2004

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