Hawley allegedly yelled at ‘phantom individuals’ and complained about the government as his Paupack Township home burned; interfered with Lakeville firefighters; Wayne County court records show Stormville, NY address 11 days before Sandy Shore fire

LAKEVILLE, WAYNE COUNTY — A neighbor’s Nest camera captured the moments before a Paupack Township home erupted in flames Friday, showing the Lakeville man now charged with aggravated arson retrieving a white container from his garage and re-entering minutes before fire tore through the structure, according to a criminal complaint revealing erratic behavior witnesses described as threatening.

Matthew Glenn Hawley, 47, never called 911. Instead, witnesses told Pennsylvania State Police he yelled at “phantom individuals” while complaining about the government as flames consumed his Lone Oak Drive home in Sandy Shore, a private lakefront community on Lake Wallenpaupack’s north shore.

Hawley faces six charges including aggravated arson—a first-degree felony carrying up to 40 years—because two White Mills volunteer firefighters were injured when their tanker crashed on icy Hawley Borough roads responding to the blaze.

Wayne County court records show Hawley listed a Stormville, New York, address when Moscow Borough police in Lackawanna County cited him for driving an unregistered vehicle December 9—eleven days before the fire. The Honesdale felony complaint lists Lakeville.

Eight Minutes From Container to Inferno

PSP Dunmore Fire Marshal Trooper Jason F. Mills pieced together a timeline from Nest footage recovered across the street:

1:22 p.m.: Hawley exits, enters detached garage, emerges 30 seconds later carrying white container, re-enters through front door.

1:30 p.m.: Smoke and flames vent forcefully from window; fire appears in center of home.

1:34 p.m.: House fully engulfed.

1:36 p.m.: Someone other than Hawley calls 911. Wayne County Communications dispatches Lakeville Volunteer Fire Company.

Mills noted the sudden, forceful venting was consistent with flammable liquid ignition. He concluded the fire was intentionally set when Hawley ignited an accelerant.

As flames consumed the structure, Hawley emerged shouting at his dog, then threw objects at the front door while yelling at “phantom individuals.” When Lakeville firefighters arrived, they requested PSP Honesdale assistance after Hawley allegedly interfered with suppression.

Firefighter Injuries Elevate Charge

A White Mills VFD tanker lost control on icy Hawley Borough roads responding to Sandy Shore. Two Wayne County firefighters were injured.

Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(a.1), intentionally starting a fire that injures anyone fighting the blaze—including during response—constitutes aggravated arson, elevating the charge from F2 to F1.

Criminal History

January 27, 2023 — Harassment, Paupack Township: Trooper Nicholas M. Baton, PSP Honesdale. Guilty plea June 14, 2023, before MDJ Bonnie L. Carney. Attorney Kurt Thomas Lynott represented. $210.25 fines/costs.

February 11, 2023 — Drug Paraphernalia, Paupack Township: Trooper Kelly L. Todd, PSP Honesdale. Waived preliminary hearing; guilty plea August 17, 2023, before Judge Janine Edwards in Wayne County Court of Common Pleas. Six months probation with drug/alcohol evaluation, random testing, $50/month supervision fee. Probation terminated February 20, 2024. Attorney Ashley Grace Zimmerman represented. $1,090.25 fines/costs.

April 30, 2023 — Traffic Violation, Paupack Township: Trooper Nathan Conway, PSP Honesdale. Guilty plea July 24, 2023, before MDJ Carney. Zimmerman represented. $157.50 fines/costs.

December 9, 2025 — Driving Unregistered Vehicle, Moscow Borough: Officer Martin A. Cieless, Moscow Borough Police. Pending before MDJ Kipp Edward Adcock in Lackawanna County. Lists Stormville, NY address.

The Charges

• Aggravated arson — bodily injury (18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(a.1)(1)(i)) — F1, up to 40 years
• Arson — intent to destroy unoccupied building (18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(c)(1)) — F2, up to 10 years
• Reckless burning or exploding (18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(d)(2)) — F3, up to 7 years
• Criminal mischief — damage property (18 Pa.C.S. § 3304(a)(5)) — F3, up to 7 years
• Failure to control or report dangerous fire (18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(e)(2)) — M1, up to 5 years
• Disorderly conduct (18 Pa.C.S. § 5503(a)(4)) — M3, up to 1 year

Case Status

The felony case (MJ-22301-CR-0000166-2025) is inactive, awaiting preliminary hearing before MDJ Bonnie L. Carney in Honesdale. No bail set. Hawley has not been fingerprinted or advised of counsel rights. No defense attorney listed.

A summary disorderly conduct citation filed December 21 by Trooper Sean Munley, PSP Honesdale, was withdrawn December 22 when Wayne County prosecutors filed felony charges.

DEFENDANT:

• Name: Matthew Glenn Hawley
• DOB: April 6, 1978 (Age 47)
• Description: White male, gray hair, brown eyes
• Address: Lakeville, PA 18438 (arson case); Stormville, NY 12582 (Lackawanna traffic case)

CASE INFORMATION:

• Docket: MJ-22301-CR-0000166-2025
• OTN: P 1016417-3
• Incident: PA 2025-1572628
• Offense Date: Friday, December 20, 2025
• Location: Lone Oak Drive, Sandy Shore, Paupack Township, Wayne County
• Arresting Officer: Trooper Jason F. Mills, PSP Dunmore Fire Marshal Unit
• Court: MDJ 22-3-01, Honesdale
• Status: Inactive — Awaiting Preliminary Hearing
• Upcoming: Preliminary hearing to be scheduled before MDJ Carney

PRIOR DOCKETS:

• MJ-22301-NT-0000035-2023 — Harassment — Closed
• MJ-22301-CR-0000066-2023 / CP-64-CR-0000227-2023 — Drug paraphernalia — Closed
• MJ-22301-TR-0000685-2023 — Traffic — Closed
• MJ-45302-TR-0002804-2025 — Driving unregistered vehicle — Pending, Lackawanna County

WITHDRAWN: MJ-22301-NT-0000361-2025 — Disorderly conduct — Filed Dec. 21 by Tpr. Munley, withdrawn Dec. 22

PROSECUTION: Wayne County District Attorney’s Office, 925 Court Street, Honesdale, PA 18431 — (570) 253-4912

FIRE DEPARTMENTS: Lakeville Volunteer Fire Company (primary, Paupack Twp. since 1979); White Mills Volunteer Fire Department (mutual aid, Wayne County since 1911)

Hawley is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This is a developing story.