SAN DIEGO — The San Diego-based sailor charged with arson in connection to the devastating 2020 fire on the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard will stand trial this September, the Navy announced Wednesday.
Seaman Recruit Ryan Sawyer Mays, 20, faces two counts under the military justice system — aggravated arson and the willful hazarding of a vessel. Mays denies starting the fire.
The trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 19 and run for two weeks, according to Lt. Sam Boyle, a Navy spokesperson assigned to 3rd Fleet in San Diego. Mays has not yet entered a plea, nor has he elected whether to face trial by judge or by jury, Boyle said.
