Two men have been charged with felony arson in separate incidents in Los Angeles County as authorities combat firebugs, looters, and multiple raging blazes in Southern California.
Jaime Mota, 37, was held on $350,000 bail for allegedly igniting a fire behind a shipping yard in the City of Industry on Saturday, which spread to a tractor-trailer and surrounding bushes. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison.
In Irwindale, 27-year-old Ruben Michael Montes is being held on $400,000 bail for allegedly lighting a fire under the Interstate 605 overpass at Rivergrade Road. He was on probation at the time of the incident and faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, “We owe it to the victims of these fires, as well as the brave first responders risking their lives, to ensure justice is served. Let this be a message to anyone contemplating similar acts — you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Hochman’s office has also charged 10 others with looting or arson, and he plans to continue to crack down on crime. He noted that the people of Los Angeles County are enduring unprecedented hardship as wildfires ravage their communities, displacing families, destroying homes, and tragically claiming lives.
In a recent move, Hochman and District Attorney Todd Spitzer asked Governor Gavin Newsom to make looting a felony. The department has also seen a recent surge in arson attacks, with one suspect admitting to police that they “liked the smell of burning leaves.”