A Navy judge has ruled a sailor was not guilty of setting a fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in 2020. The ruling Friday came after a nine-day trial at Naval Base San Diego. Prosecutors charged then-19-year-old Ryan Sawyer Mays with arson and the willful hazarding of a ship, saying he ignited cardboard boxes in a lower vehicle storage area. There is no physical evidence, however, tying Mays to the fire. A Navy report last year concluded that the fire that destroyed the $1.2 billion amphibious assault ship was preventable and unacceptable. More than 20 senior officers and sailor were disciplined in connection with the incident.
A Navy judge ruled Friday that a sailor was not guilty of setting a fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in 2020.
The ruling came after a nine-day trial at Naval Base San Diego. Ryan Sawyer Mays, who had been charged with arson and the willful hazarding of a ship, let out a deep breath, put both hands on the defense table and broke into sobs. Mays embraced members of his defense team, then ran over to his wife and parents, where they hugged and sobbed for several minutes. At one point, Mays' mother was heard telling him,"I had no doubt.
“Seaman Recruit Mays was found not guilty on the charges of willful hazarding of a vessel and aggravated arson. The Navy is committed to upholding the principles of due process and a fair trial,” said Lt. Samuel R. Boyle, spokesman for U.S. 3rd Fleet. Prosecutors accused then-19-year-old Mays of igniting cardboard boxes in a lower vehicle storage area to drive home an earlier text to his division officer that the ship was so cluttered with contractors’ stuff it was “hazardous as .” They contended that Mays was angry and vengeful about failing to become a Navy SEAL and being assigned to deck duty and ignited the ship to send a message.
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Sailor Found Not Guilty of Setting Fire That Destroyed ShipA Navy judge has ruled a sailor was not guilty of setting a fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in 2020. The ruling Friday came after a nine-day trial at Naval Base San Diego. Prosecutors charged then-19-year-old Ryan Sawyer Mays with arson and the willful hazarding of a ship, saying he ignited cardboard boxes in a lower vehicle storage area. There is no physical evidence, however, tying Mays to the fire. A Navy report last year concluded that the fire that destroyed the $1.2 billion amphibious assault ship was preventable and unacceptable. More than 20 senior officers and sailor were disciplined in connection with the incident.
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Sailor found Not Guilty on charges he started fire aboard USS Bonhomme Richard -SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A young Navy sailor who was accused of setting fire to the USS Bonhomme Richard was acquitted Friday by a military judge of charges stemming from the July 2020 blaze that burned for several days while the ship was docked at Naval Base San Diego. Seaman Recruit Ryan Sawyer Mays, 21, had been charged with arson...
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