MARIPOSA—California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Law Enforcement Officers arrested 31-year-old Gino Galileo Luciani on Wednesday, July 12th, 2023, in Mariposa County. Through an extensive investigation, Luciani was identified as the suspect responsible for igniting a vegetation fire on July 12th, 2023. The Ashworth Fire occurred in the Bootjack area in Mariposa County. The fire burned approximately ...
Read More »Articles about Arson
DA Will Oppose YLP Arsonist’s Latest Bid For Early Parole
MADERA — After serving less than seven years of a 20-year sentence, convicted arsonist Kenneth Jackson is once again being considered for early parole — and the Madera County District Attorney is going on the record with her opposition to Jackson’s release and asking Madera County residents to voice their opinions, as well. Jackson was arrested along with his wife Alice ...
Read More »YLP Arsonists Back In Court For Resentencing
MADERA – The case of Kenneth Jackson, 46, who was sentenced to 30 years and 8 months in prison on Aug. 8, 2014, for 21 counts of arson, was back before a judge this morning for resentencing after the Fifth District Court of Appeal reversed 8 of the convictions due to “insufficient evidence.” Jackson was arrested along with his wife ...
Read More »YLP Arsonists Win Partial Appeals Victory, One Released From Prison
FRESNO – The couple convicted of starting numerous fires in the Yosemite Lakes Park (YLP) community and surrounding area in 2013 has won a partial victory as some of their convictions have been reversed on appeal. However, Alice Waterman was released from prison on June 9, according to District Attorney David Linn, because she had served her time. Kenneth Jackson ...
Read More »Four Charged With Arson For Burning Stolen Car, Sparking Pier Fire
TULARE COUNTY — District Attorney Tim Ward has announced criminal charges against four individuals for starting the Pier Fire by burning a stolen car. The Pier Fire charred nearly 37,000 acres east of Springville, Calif., from Aug. 29 to Sept 24. Isiac Renteria, 19, Richard Renteria, 21, Osvaldo Esparza-Guerrero, 20, and Breane Ojeda, 21, were arrested on Oct. 24. All ...
Read More »Man Gets 12 Years For Arson, Ex-Wife Fears Much Earlier Release
MADERA COUNTY — When Michael Lapschies was sentenced on Sept. 26 to 12 years in prison for lighting a series of fires in the Bass Lake area in 2015, and making threats against his ex-wife Amanda Skye-Ritchie, she was not at all satisfied that he would actually serve anywhere near the term imposed by the Bass Lake Superior Court. On ...
Read More »Parole Denied For Second Yosemite Lakes Park Arsonist
MADERA COUNTY — The Coarsegold woman convicted in 2014 of arson and conspiracy for a string of fires in the Yosemite Lakes Park area has been denied parole. On Sept. 1, the Madera County District Attorney’s Office filed an opposition to the pending parole release of Alice Waterman, age 50, from the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla. Waterman was ...
Read More »Letters Requested In Opposition To YLP Arsonist’s Release
MADERA COUNTY — The District Attorney’s Office has extended the deadline for anyone wishing to submit letters in opposition to the release of Alice Waterman, convicted in 2014 for her part in a string of fires in the Yosemite Lakes Park area. Waterman was found guilty on six counts of arson and one count of conspiracy after more than 30 ...
Read More »D.A. Files Opposition To Pending Release Of Convicted Arsonist
MADERA COUNTY — Madera County District Attorney David Linn announced today that on Sept. 1, his office filed an opposition to the pending parole release from the Central California Women’s Facility, of Alice Waterman. Waterman was convicted in May 2014 of six counts of arson, and one count of conspiracy, and sentenced to 10 years and 8 months in prison for ...
Read More »Arson Should Be Classified As A Violent Crime
To the Editor: Recently, California passed Proposition 57, the Public Safety and Rehabilitation act of 2016. Prop 57 was supposed to get nonviolent offenders out of prison and get them the rehabilitation programs they needed to get back on their feet. By definition legally, any crime not expressly defined as “violent” in section 1192.7(c) of the penal code is considered ...
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