Former California firefighter pleads not guilty to detonating bombs along roadways

A former firefighter with a past arson conviction has been arrested on suspicion of detonating a homemade bomb and placing multiple other explosive devices along a road in two Northern California counties, authorities said.

According to the suspect, the 41-year-old man pleaded not guilty last week to multiple felonies, including possessing and detonating an explosive with “the intent to injure, intimidate, or cause fear to any person, or to unlawfully damage or destroy property.” did. Complaints.

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The man was investigated by the FBI, California Highway Patrol and local sheriff's department after a series of improvised explosive devices were found along roads and highways in El Dorado and Sacramento counties, The Sacramento Bee reported. It was reported that he was arrested on January 12th. Officials did not say which roads were involved.

The Highway Patrol said in a social media post that the Orangevale resident was arrested following an “intensive operation” in which the Explosive Ordnance Disposal squad executed a “significant search warrant”. .

The defendant also faces a special charge of felony conviction. He pleaded guilty in 2016 to setting at least 30 arsons in rural areas east of Sacramento between 2006 and 2007, causing $7 million in damage, The Bee reported. He was sentenced to five years in prison and agreed to pay more than $246,000 in restitution to the state.

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He set the fire after serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Diamond Springs Fire Protection District in El Dorado County. He also worked as a seasonal firefighter for Cal Fire from 2001 to 2003, according to the Bee.

The defendant is being held in the El Dorado County Jail and is not eligible for bail, according to court records.