FRESNO, CA – On August 18, a California State Park Ranger apprehended Ivan Geronimo Gomez, 30, after he was reportedly observed starting a fire near Highway 1 in John Little State Natural Reserve, according to court documents.
The wildfire, known as the Dolan Fire burned at least 2,500 acres of the Los Padres National Forest.
In a press release, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona stated:
It is heartbreaking to think that someone would deliberately set fire to land with the potential of destroying homes, endangering lives, and depleting our already stretched resources. Thanks to a state park ranger who was in the area and looking out for park visitors and the surrounding community, a suspect is in custody.
Gomez has been charged with arson: forest land, throwing substance at vehicle, cultivating marijuana, battery, and brandishing a deadly weapon. He is currently being held at the Monterey County Jail on $2 million bond.
*Since Fresno is a 'sanctuary city,' no ICE hold will be honored, and though his bail is substantial, if Gomez could come up with ten percent of the bond, he would simply be released back onto the streets.
