By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY
Senior Writer
Suspect Justin Halstenberg, who allegedly ignited the devastating 43,000-acre Line Fire in the foothills above Highland on Sept. 5, entered a not guilty plea at his initial court appearance, a video arraignment held on Sept. 28.
That court appearance included testimony from multiple Cal Fire investigators, financial analysts, a DNA expert and a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s detective. Since that date, investigators discovered new evidence in the form of DNA found on an incendiary device with legal paper wrapped around coins that had been left in the suspect’s truck. These new details were revealed in testimony during a two-day-long preliminary hearing in San Bernardino County Superior Court on Tuesday, Oct. 2 and on Wednesday, Oct. 3, when Superior Court Judge William Jefferson Powell IV ruled that there is sufficient evidence to hold Halstenberg over for a trial on 14 felony counts.
The evidence, District Attorney’s Office investigators said, helped link the fire to Halstenberg, since photos of his pickup truck had been shot by automated license plate reader cameras in the fire area.
The 14 counts represent five more than originally charged. The DA this week added three counts each of arson of a structure or forest land and one count of arson of an inhabited structure. Halstenberg had previously been charged with three counts each of arson of a structure or forest land and arson using an ignition device, one count each of aggravated arson, arson of an inhabited structure and arson causing great bodily injury.
The penalty for arson of a structure or forestland in California, PC451 (a), is up to six years in prison. Arson of an inhabited structure, PC451(b), is punishable by a prison term of up to eight years. Arson using an incendiary device is punishable by a term of one to 20 years. Aggravated arson, PC 451 (d), has a penalty ranging from 10 years to life and arson causing great bodily harm, PC452, is punishable by a term of nine years in state prison.
The new arson of property counts are related to a home in Highland that suffered minor damage from an ember, a Running Springs residence where an address sign and siding melted, as well as a fence that was burned and a window that had broken and East Valley Water District property that was damaged.
Halstenberg, who is being held without bail, is represented by the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office, has reportedly pled not guilty to all charges. His next court date is slated for Friday, Oct. 11.
The Alpine Mountaineer will continue to follow this story.
Read Previous ArticlesAbout It…
https://thealpinemountaineer.com/2024/09/25/line-fire-arson-suspect-pleads-not-guilty/
https://thealpinemountaineer.com/2024/09/19/line-fire-suspect-accused-of-setting-more-fires/
0 Comments