Former Maryland police officer and MMA fighter faces attempted arson and other charges in Stafford
By KEITH EPPS THE FREE LANCE–STAR
September 15, 2017
A judge Friday denied a bond request from a former police officer accused of, among other things, plotting to burn down the Stafford County Public Safety Building and attempting to burn the residence of her child’s father in Fairfax County.
Cassie Christine Crisano, 37, of Stafford, MD is charged with multiple offenses, including fraud, identity theft and attempted arson in Stafford. Prosecutor Tara Mooney said Friday in Stafford Circuit Court that more charges are pending.
Crisano, a former police officer in Prince George’s County, Md., and a former mixed martial arts fighter, also was charged Thursday night on an attempted arson allegation in Fairfax County. That charge stemmed from a 2016 incident in which gasoline was doused on the front stoop of her former boyfriend’s home.
According to testimony and court records, Crisano was initially arrested Aug. 31 after being accused of conning an insurance company out of $20,000. Mooney told Judge Donald Haddock that Crisano staged a burglary at a home she shared with a Pentagon police officer on Cannon Ridge Drive in southern Stafford. The officer is also the father of Crisano’s young daughter.
The Stafford Sheriff’s Office began an investigation in August after Crisano’s former friend, Terry Linton, told police about the insurance fraud. Linton, 31, was a fraud investigator for the Navy Federal Credit Union when he was arrested in Frederick County in July on a charge of soliciting a child on the Internet.
In an apparent attempt to reduce his own legal troubles, Linton told police about the fraud case in Stafford. The Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Cannon Ridge Drive address and found the property that had been reported stolen, along with 93 account numbers from Navy Federal and names and dates of birth.
Mooney said police also recovered three different identifications on Crisano when she was arrested; all three are for Navy Federal customers.
Unaware that Linton was the one who’d set her up, according to the evidence, Crisano contacted Linton on Sept. 3, three days after she was released on bond. In a taped phone call, Crisano implored Linton to help her destroy the Public Safety Building as a way to get rid of the evidence against her.
She told Linton, according to the evidence, that the “only way to get rid of [the evidence] is to get rid of that building.” The plot involved Molatov cocktails and setting fire to a field a couple of miles away to divert fire department resources from the primary target.
Mooney said Crisano showed up for a prearranged meeting with Linton about 10:20 p.m. Sept. 3 to carry out the plot. Instead, she was greeted and arrested by Stafford detectives. Mooney said Crisano had latex gloves and a gasoline can, among other things, when she was arrested.
Mooney said Crisano is clearly a danger to the community and told Judge Haddock that denying her bond “should be the easiest decision you’ll make all day. She’s willing to go to any lengths.”
Defense attorney Jason Pelt argued that despite her “self-destructive” behavior, Crisano deserved a bond. He pointed out that she has no prior criminal record and could be monitored by GPS, house arrest or a requirement to check into a mental facility.
Pelt also argued it is unfair that Crisano is being held without bond while Linton and the Pentagon officer aren’t even facing charges in Stafford. Pelt said there was no way Crisano concocted the fraud scheme on her own, saying it was obvious that the Navy Federal information came from Linton and that the officer should have known something was amiss.
A preliminary hearing for Crisano is scheduled for Oct. 19 in Stafford General District Court. Pelt said she left the police force several years ago after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after seeing her partner get shot.
===========================
My name is Cassie Crisano and I am a victim of abuse. I have been abused both mentally and physically for the last 9 years by, Mark Barbre. Mark Barbre is a Police Officer with Prince Georges County Police Department. I am ashamed for not getting out of an abusive relationship after the first incident occurred. I am ashamed that my kids were witness to such abuse. I am ashamed now as I write this message asking for your support. My story needs to be told and the word needs to spread like wildfire. I NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!!
===========================
Fighter on the Rise: Cassie Crisano
Getting to know Cassie Crisano
Another WMMA fighter I've been following
for quite some time on the social networks. Cassie is a pretty laid back
individual and always keeps herself busy in her career as a fighter, a
mother and as a police officer. Cassie is definitely a leader and a role
model with a huge following of fans that look up to her throughout
primarily the states and in Brazil. Keep a look out for Cassie as she
continues her fighting career and currently stands with a 2-1-1
professional MMA record!
Early Life:
Tell us a bit about yourself, where did you grow up and what was life like growing up? (Family, school, friends)
I was born in Middletown, New York but I spent my childhood years growing up in a small town called Ellenville, New York.
Were you involved in any sports as a youth in or outside of school?
Baseball, Softball, Field Hockey, and Wrestling.
What is your favorite child-hood memory?
I was the first female wrestler to win a Varsity match against a male wrestler.
Any interesting child-hood stories and/or fun facts?
I went from wrestling novice to finishing second at the first women's national wrestling tournament in Albuquerque, NM, in the 138 lb. division.
Getting involved in MMA:
How did you get involved into MMA as a sport?
I wrestled for several years in high school and continued for several years thereafter on a recreational level. I started training MMA in 2009 after I was involved in a shooting at work (police officer) where my partner was shot. It was my therapy to deal with the incident.
What discipline did you begin with?
Wrestling
At what point did you know you were ready to step in the cage for the first time?
I am one of those types of people where if I do something, I just need to get in there and do it to see if I like it. So it was eight weeks after I hit the mats before I got into the cage but it solidified that yes that was something I wanted to do.
Hell yeah!
What are 3 things you've learned while being involved in this sport?
1.) If you want something done right do it yourself.
2.) Always go with what you think is right.
3.) Set goals and do not deviate from them no matter what if you want to make MMA a real carreer.
Current:
What gym are you currently fighting out of?
Brasil Fights
What is your current record (ammy/pro) and at what weight?
135 lbs. – Ammy: 4-1, Pro: 2-1-1
Do you currently have a nickname in this sport? If so, what is it and why?
“Crazy” Cassie Crisano. My Brazilian trainer, Joel “The Joker” Garcia, gave me the nickname.
If you could improve one aspect of your game, what would it be and why?
Learning to multi-task because I manage to get a little backasswords. LOL
What is your most memorable experience as an MMA fighter?
Getting punched in the face at weigh-ins of an amateur fight by a former male UFC fighter.
Any interesting stories to share or learning experiences whilst fighting you would like to share?
Always trust in yourself, never deviate from what you want, never put your future in anybody else’s hands.
If you could offer one bit of advice to an aspiring fighter what would it be?
No hesitation! Just get into it, find an MMA gym, remain committed and have confidence!
Would you like to give a shout out to any sponsors individuals who have supported you?
Joel “The Joker” Garcia, Brasil Fights, Brasil Fitness, SOLO Core Training, HERBALIFE, Buonos, Bloodhound Industries, Amber Sports, Frank Besdnjak
What are your goals for the future in the sport?
UFC!
What are your thoughts on the current state of the sport and where it's headed?
The sport has come a long way and is heading in the right direction.
If you could change one thing in the sport, what would it be?
The talent pool isn’t large enough
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Laying on the beach in the Caribbean
Fun Facts:
Favorite Food/Dish:
Pepperoni Pizza
Favorite type of Music:
Rock
Favorite Movie:
Goonies
Favorite TV Show:
Law and Order
Favorite Quote:
“Determination, honor, pride and love have the power to create and destroy.”
Do you have any children? Do you plan on having any/more?:
Yes, I have children
Best day of your life:
When my children were born
Interesting/Unknown Fact about yourself:
I love to fish!
Favorite Hobbies:
Camping and fishing
Who is your favorite super hero and why?
Phoenix, she is able to overcome downfall and rise up from the ashes better off.
Contact:
Email: ccrisanomma@gmail
Facebook Page/Fan Page: Cassie Crisano
Twitter: @cassiecrisano
Website: http://www.cassiecrisano.com
Manager Contact (for sponsorship/fight inquiries): Joel Garcia (joelattusa@gmail)
Cassie Crisano Official Bio
Cassie Crisano was born on June 27th, 1980 in Middletown, New York. She spent her childhood years growing up in a small town nestled in the Catskill region of Ellenville New York. Crisano attended Ellenville Central School from Telemetry through High School, where she participated in numerous sports as a child. Baseball, Softball, Field Hockey, Wrestling… You name it, she played it…
Her Freshman year of High School, Crisano joined the all male wrestling team. Crisano became the first female wrestler in Section 9 to win a Varsity match against a male wrestler other than by forfeit. She went from wrestling novice to finishing second at the first women's national wrestling tournament in Albuquerque, NM, in the 138lb cadet division. She was also the 138lb New York state women's champion and finished second at the northeast regional in Syracuse, NY. She posted an impressive 20-2 record against female opponents with her 2 losses coming up against the same opponent.
Crisano trained under Alberto Nieves in High School. Alberto Nieves is a 5x Puerto Rico National Champion, 2x Pan American Place Winner, 2x Central American Medalist, and 4x Puerto Rico National Champion in the NCAA division. EIWA Place Winner, NJCAA National Qualifier, present Head Coach of Springfield Technical Community College (2000-Present), MASS Freestyle Coach and co. owner of Wrestling Club. Crisano continued wrestling outside of High School competing in recreational tournaments in the East Coast.
In 2002 she was involved in a auto accident that almost ended her life but did ultimately end her love for wrestling. She defeated what was supposed to be the impossible and decided it was time to get back on the mats in November 2009.
The former wrestler has quickly made a name for herself in the martial arts world. She is not only widely recognized for her skills in the cage, but also for her beauty. Prior to turning pro in March of 2013, the East Coast bombshell was named the “Top Sexiest Amateur Woman in MMA on the East Coast”.
Cassie Crisano was also recently ranked #3 on the list of “Top ten most chiseled bodies in women’s mixed martial arts”, beating out the likes of fighters like UFC Woman’s Bantamweight Champion Rhonda Rousey (Rousey was ranked #6 on the list).
Crisano is a professional athlete that brings ethics and hard work to every challenge she faces. As a police officer, Crisano also clearly understands the importance of being a role model and always handles herself professionally both in and out of the cage.