Arson Fire At Former Classmate's Loudoun Home Leads To 20-Year Prison Sentence

STERLING, VA — A man was sentenced in Loudoun County court to 20 years in prison in relation to setting fires at a former Potomac Falls High School classmate's family home in Sterling.

Julian Karapetkov had been sentenced to life in prison, with all but 10 years suspended for burning an occupied dwelling. He received another 10 years for burning personal property greater than $1,000. According to authorities, additional restrictions are in place to prevent Karapetkov from contacting the victim again, or he could be ordered to serve the balance of the life sentence.

The charges relate to a Sept, 4, 2022 fire at a home on Whittingham Circle in the Countryside neighborhood of Sterling. Around 4 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2022, Loudoun County and Fairfax County firefighters responded to two vehicles on fire in the driveway and fire showing from the home.

Two residents had safely evacuated after hearing loud explosions from the vehicle fire. No firefighters were injured. The fire department estimated damages to the house and vehicles were around $200,000.

Before the fires, Karapetkov was convicted of stalking a former Potomac Falls High School classmate who turned down his romantic pursuits, WUSA9 reported. When the victim moved away to attend college, Karapetkov continued to contact her with as many as 35 messages in one day, according to the report. He was sentenced to three months with an order to have no contact with the victim. But the month after being released, the victim's house was set on fire with her parents inside, according to WUSA9.

During the fire investigation, the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office found evidence of an accelerant used to intentionally set fire to two vehicles and the house. The fire marshal's office arrested Karapetkov on Sept. 12, 2022.

Charges of second-degree murder and stalking did not advance against Karapetkov, according to circuit court records.