Suspect arrested in alleged arson of pro-Trump haystack. Tulare County DA adds charges

A Tulare County man is being held without bail in the suspected arson of a massive haystack with pro-Donald Trump signs on Oct. 10 near Dinuba.

He was identified s Adan Aguilar, 43, of the small Tulare County hamlet of New London.

Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Ashlie Ritchie said deputies went to the area of Avenue 385 and Road 80 on Oct. 10, where the haystack was on fire, two weeks after it had been set alight in an apparent arson attempt.

Two days later, on Oct. 12, deputies were interviewing witnesses at the scene when Aguilar drove by. Deputies pursued Aguilar, and arrested him on unrelated charges.

Monday, detectives submitted their investigation to the Tulare County District Attorney, and charges of arson and arson during a state of emergency were filed. Aguilar was booked on the charges without the possibility of being released on bond.

District Attorney Tim Ward said Aguilar also faces charges of felony child abuse, violation of a court order, criminal threats and felony evading He has a criminal history that includes second-degree murder in a Nevada case.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact detectives at 800-808-0488.

This story was originally published October 20, 2020 at 11:49 AM.