Alleged Greenhouse Arsonist Pleads Not Guilty

REDWOOD CITY, CA – A transient man who's a registered sex offender pleaded not guilty for the second time Friday to arson charges for a fire that burned several greenhouses at a business near Half Moon Bay in late March, according to San Mateo County prosecutors.

Gilberto Mendoza Flores, 38, is charged in connection with a blaze just outside of Half Moon Bay at the California Terra Gardens greenhouse facility in the 12000 block of state Highway 92 at 11:10 p.m. on March 28.

The fire damaged four or five greenhouses, resulting in an estimated $50,000 to $100,000 in damage.

Prosecutors said witnesses told investigators Flores had been acting strangely, burning clothes and threatening to "burn this f------ hill down."

Prosecutors said that after Flores was arrested he admitted to using his lighter to burn papers on the ground inside the greenhouse company's office to help "clean up" but claimed he waited for the fire to burn out before leaving.

Flores entered his first not guilty plea on April 3, shortly after he was arrested and charged.

San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said Flores asked for a speedy preliminary hearing and at the end of that hearing on June 1 Superior Court Judge Stephanie Garratt ruled that prosecutors produced
sufficient evidence to have Flores stand trial.

Flores entered his second not guilty plea at a routine post-preliminary hearing court appearance Friday.

Wagstaffe said Flores is seeking a speedy trial so Judge Barbara Mallace today scheduled his trial to begin on July 24.

Flores' attorney, Brandon Douglass, didn't respond to a request to comment on his case.

Flores is being held in custody in lieu of $175,000 bail.

SEE ALSO:

• Arson Suspected in Half Moon Bay Area Fire, Transient Arrested: Sheriff's Office
  
• Fire Near Half Moon Bay Causes Up To $100K In Damages

– By Bay City News Service / Image courtesy of Cal Fire