Crime & Safety
Trail Arson Suspect Pleads Not Guilty In Sonoma County Court
The homeless man accused in a serious of suspicious fires was also charged with possession of an opium pipe.
SANTA ROSA, CA — A homeless man pleaded not guilty this morning to felony arson along a Sonoma County trail in June. Domingo Bautista-Bautista, 51, also pleaded not guilty in Sonoma County Superior Court to a misdemeanor charge of possession of an opium pipe.
There were four suspicious fires along the West County Trail and bike path near Occidental Road in Graton on June 14, and 13 small fires along the Santa Rosa Creek Trail near Dutton Avenue in Santa Rosa on June 16, according to Santa Rosa police and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
A witness identified Bautista in a photo lineup as the suspect, sheriff's officials said.
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Bautista is being held under $20,000 bail in Sonoma County Jail, and the number of fires he allegedly set will be determined during a preliminary hearing on Sept. 4, Deputy District Attorney Leslie Butori said.
By Bay City News Service
Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatifor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Photo via Shutterstock.com
