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Jonathan A. Barajas Nava, 37, Sentenced to 51 Months for Arson in San Bernardino Church Fire
A New Mexico man has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for setting a San Bernardino County church and preschool on fire last year while children and school employees were inside.
Jonathan A. Barajas Nava, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Walter, who also ordered him to pay $7,008 in restitution.
Nava pleaded guilty on January 17 to one count of damage to a religious property.
According to court documents, on April 24, 2024, Nava set fire to the Retreat Church and Yucaipa Christian Preschool in Yucaipa. Before setting the church on fire, Nava traveled to a nearby gasoline station and purchased a gasoline can and filled it with gasoline. He then traveled to the church with the can and poured the liquid on the church’s front door. Then, he used an open-flame device to set the area on fire.
The resulting fire damaged the church’s interior carpet, the doorframe seal, and an outdoor mat. Staff and children inside evacuated the building.
Nava then traveled to a nearby strip mall and set fire to the exterior wall, which resulted in no damage. He was arrested later that day.
Nava admitted in his plea agreement that he set fire to the church because of its religious character.
Prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum that the arson was planned and targeted, and that Nava did not commit the crime in the heat of passion.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Peter Dahlquist of the Riverside Branch Office prosecuted this case.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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