BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The man accused of starting the fire that destroyed the "Toucan" building in Downtown Bakersfield was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison.
Michael Leon Webber, 48, pleaded no contest last month to unlawfully causing a fire. Three other charges were dismissed.
Webber was spotted on surveillance video going inside the building at 1030 19th St. on the afternoon of Sept. 2, according to Bakersfield Fire Department investigators. He left soon after, and smoke started pouring from the building.
‘Nobody’s here’: Business dips at Mercado Latino amid Border Patrol operation
Damage was estimated at $750,000.
Webber, who is homeless, was arrested Sept. 6. He was found with a backpack containing two glass pipes used for smoking methamphetamine, a syringe with suspected heroin and pepper spray, investigators said in a court filing.