Los Angeles: A former California firefighter was jailed on Tuesday for deliberately starting dozens of wildfires out of boredom and in a bid to earn extra money on the job.
Benjamim Cunha, 33, was sentenced to five years in prison for arson and was ordered to pay $246,832 in restitution to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
According to the charge sheet, Cunha set at least 30 fires during the summers of 2006 and 2007, with two of the blazes burning onto federal land.
"Today's sentence is a just result that takes a serial arsonist off the streets," US Attorney Benjamin Wagner said in a statement.
Officials said Cunha indicated he started the fires because he was bored and wanted to earn overtime money for fighting the blazes. He also wanted to impress his peers, they said.
Several of the fires were started with a time-delay incendiary device.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Benjamim Cunha, 33, was sentenced to five years in prison for arson and was ordered to pay $246,832 in restitution to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
According to the charge sheet, Cunha set at least 30 fires during the summers of 2006 and 2007, with two of the blazes burning onto federal land.
Officials said Cunha indicated he started the fires because he was bored and wanted to earn overtime money for fighting the blazes. He also wanted to impress his peers, they said.
Advertisement
Advertisement
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
35 Dead, As California Wildfires Continue To Rage Wildfires Rage As California Sizzles California Wildfires Death Toll Rises to 5 Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops Private Jets, Luxury Cars: Lavish Life Of "Ketamine Queen" Jasveen Sangha Bill Gates Calls India A "Global Leader In Breakthrough Innovations" Can Siddaramaiah Government Survive MUDA Scam Allegations? Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.