Case # 15NF2465
Date: September 11, 2015
MAN CHARGED FOR CAUSING FIRE THAT SPREAD OVER 80 ACRES FROM FULLERTON TO LA HABRA
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged for causing a fire that burned over 80 acres that spread from Fullerton to La Habra. Paul Munoz, 56, Fullerton, is charged with one felony count of unlawfully causing fire of a structure or forest, and one misdemeanor count of trespassing on private property. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison. He is being held on $25,000 bail and is scheduled for pre-trial on Sept. 18, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department N-3, North Justice Center, Fullerton.
At approximately 3:45 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2015, Munoz is accused of trespassing and illegally being in the area of West Coyote Hills near Gilbert Street and Castlewood Drive in Fullerton. He is accused of causing a fire in a transient encampment which spread to approximately 80 acres toward South Idaho Street and West Risner Way in La Habra.
Firefighters from Orange County and Los Angeles County assisted in the firefighting efforts and had the fire fully contained by Sept. 9, 2015. The Fullerton Police Department, who investigated this case, arrested the defendant on Sept. 10, 2015.
Deputy District Attorney Jess Rodriguez of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.