Columbia man admits to lighting fire that destroyed bridge on the Enola Low Grade Trail in 2018

• By Jack Panyard/LNP | LancasterOnline

A Columbia man admitted Monday to burning down a bridge on the Enola Low Grade Trail in 2018, costing Martic Township $3 million to rebuild and closing a section of the popular trail for more than four years.

Maxxwell Ray Redman Jr., 24, pleaded guilty before Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker minutes before jury selection was to begin. He pleaded guilty to causing catastrophe, arson and four lesser charges.

Reinaker asked Redman a series of questions to make sure he knew what he was pleading guilty to and that he was doing so by choice. He also warned Redman that he would not be allowed to withdraw the plea after the court went to the trouble of convening jurors and setting up a trial.

Reinaker told Redman he faces a maximum of 34 years in prison, though his sentence will be dictated in large part by state sentencing guidelines. Redman said he understood, answering the judge’s questions yes or no as appropriate. He did not say why he decided to plead guilty.

Though the April 12, 2018, fire was quickly ruled arson, police didn’t charge Redman until May 2020.

Witnesses told police they saw Redman and another woman on the bridge shortly before the fire. Police say the woman told them Redman held a lit lighter to the wooden frame of the bridge before leaving.

The Martic Forge trestle bridge runs over Pequea Creek between Martic and Conestoga townships. Martic Township was set to open a parking lot, trailhead and pedestrian crossing over Route 324 near the trestle when Redman set fire to the wooden decking.

The bridge was rebuilt with a concrete deck, costing $3 million, and opened in October 2022.

Redman remains free on $750,000 bail. He will be sentenced after a presentence investigation is completed. The investigation is a background report on a defendant to help a judge determine an appropriate sentence. They typically take about 90 days to complete.