New Mexico man admits to setting California church and preschool on fire
Jan 21, 2025
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A New Mexico man pled guilty to a federal charge last week after setting fire to a church and preschool in California last year while staff and children were inside. Jonathan Barajas Nava pled guilty to one count of damage to religious property.
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In April, Nava brought a can of gasoline to a San Bernardino County church and preschool, poured it on the door, and set it on fire. Nobody was hurt.
This happened after Nava failed to report to his probation officer in a case from New Mexico where he set fire to a gas pump and led police on a chase through the metro. He was sentenced to five years of supervised probation in that case.
He's facing up to 20 years in his federal case. Sentencing is scheduled for March 31.