Laguna Niguel Man Pleads Not Guilty To Ortega Highway Fires

SANTA ANA, CA — A 46-year-old Laguna Niguel man pleaded not guilty Monday to setting a series of fires along Ortega Highway, dating back to Halloween last year.

Homayon Farnoodymeher was charged May 18 with three counts of arson of a structure or forest and single counts each of a prohibited person owning ammunition, possession of a forged driver's license and possession of flammable material, all felonies.

He was also charged with a single misdemeanor count of possession of a large capacity magazine by a prohibited person.

Farnoodymeher entered his plea in the jail courtroom in Santa Ana on Monday. He was arrested Thursday, according to court records.

The fires were extinguished before the blazes could cause any structural damage or anyone was injured, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department and Orange County Fire Authority.

The dates of the fires were April 13, Oct. 31 and Nov. 14.

City News Service contributed to this report.