SAN DIEGO -- A federal grand jury Wednesday indicted a man who allegedly started the largest wildfire in California history, 10News reported.
Credit: Dan Trevan
San Diego Union Tribune
Sergio Martinez, 34, of West Covina, was indicted on one count each of setting timber on fire and making a false statement to a federal officer, according to U.S. Attorney Carol Lam. Martinez allegedly got lost while hunting and built a fire or fired a flare to attract attention.
In addition, 14 of 16 special allegations allege the offense charged resulted in the deaths of James Shohara, Solange M. Shohara, Randy M. Shohara, Stephen Shacklett, Galen Blacklidge, Quynh Yen Pack, John James Pack, Ralph Marshall Westley, Mary Peace, Gary Downs, Christy Anne Seiler-Davis, Jennifer Sloan, Robin Sloan and firefighter Steven Rucker.
The 2003 blaze, called the Cedar fire, killed 15 people, including one firefighter, and destroyed more than 2,200 homes.The blaze began last Oct. 25 in the Cleveland National Forest after Martinez, a Los Angeles County resident, allegedly got lost and built a fire or fired a flare to attract attention.Martinez will be in court Thursday morning to face the charges. He faces up to five years in prison on each count if convicted, prosecutors said.
Copyright 2004 by 10News.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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