Man released early from Fresno jail goes on to set multiple fires, district attorney says
A Selma man who had been in the Fresno County Jail is accused of starting multiple fires following his early release related to the coronavirus, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Fresno County District Attorney Lisa A. Smittcamp announced in a news release Wednesday that seven felony charges were filed against Owen Aguilar, who is accused of starting multiple fires on April 16 in the Selma area.
Aguilar, 27, faces 45 years in prison.
He previously had been in the Fresno County jail for charges related to animal cruelty.
Aguilar’s release from custody was due to statewide emergency orders implemented by a judicial order that gave the jail the authority to release inmates whose sentences were due to be complete within the next 30 days to limit for a potential outbreak of COVID-19, the coronavirus.
Aguilar is accused of igniting a tent occupied by a homeless man; setting fire to several large commercial dumpsters near businesses; starting a fire in a shopping cart that spread to a detached garage; igniting dry brush; and setting fire to debris underneath a Highway 99 overpass.
His counts include arson of inhabited property, two counts of arson of structure/grassland, and three counts of arson of personal property.
He also is being charged with one count of possession of an incendiary device with malicious intent.
The DA said each arson charge includes an enhancement because the alleged arsons were committed during a state of emergency.
Aguilar remains in custody and was scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 9:33 PM.
