An Indiana man pleaded no contest today to recklessly starting the Santa Catalina Island brush fire in May 2007 that caused an estimated $20 million in damage, destroyed several structures and one home as it burned through more than 4,000 acres of brush. Deputy District Attorney Ann Ambrose of the Target Crimes Division said Gary Dennis Hunt, 51, entered the plea before Long Beach Superior Court Judge Judith Meyer. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 28. He faces up to three years state prison.
Hunt, who was working as a subcontractor on the island, used an open-flamed torch to cut cables on the island’s radio tower. The fire sparked and spread out of control. Several firefighters were injured while fighting the May 10 blaze. Ambrose said that the island had clearly posted warnings of extreme fire danger and open flames were not permitted.
Ambrose said Hunt stipulated to paying nearly $5 million in restitution. She said a full restitution hearing is set on the same day as sentencing. Restitution could reach as high as $20 million if Southern California Edison and the state Department of Forestry submit estimated damages.
As part of the plea, a felony count of recklessly causing fire to an inhabited structure will be dismissed.
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1 comment:
I have a question how is it that someone gets charged for so much damage when he tried to tell the guy he was working for that it was dry but that guy told him to do it even after gary stated that also gary was the one who called the fire department as soon as it happened so why didnt the contractor that hired the sub contractor get in any trouble? I feel that they keep adding more money every year also out of all the fires in california how come this is the only one they did something about?
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