Redding, Calif. — A two-year sentence has been handed down to Eric Michael Smith, 41, for a spree of arsons that ravaged the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The serial arsonist was sentenced today in Sacramento to two years and six months behind bars, along with a $19,071 restitution order.
Smith’s reign of fire began in June 2019 and continued until July 2020, during which he admitted to setting no less than 11 fires on national forest land. His signature move was the deliberate abandonment of campfires, also numbering 11, throughout the same period.
The fires were ignited with undetectable methods like cigarette lighters and handheld torches, often in remote areas where detection and suppression efforts faced increased difficulty. One blaze, set by Smith in July 2020, came perilously close to Interstate 5 near Turntable Bay Road, prompting highway closures to safeguard property from the inferno.
Smith’s arrest followed a meticulous investigation that included tracking his vehicle with a monitoring device and days of surveillance by law enforcement. The case against him was the result of a joint effort between the U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki leading the prosecution.
U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced the sentence, emphasizing the severity of Smith’s actions and the impact on both wildlife and local communities. ‘The repeated fires posed a significant threat to public safety and resources,’ said Talbert.
Smith now faces years of imprisonment for his callous disregard for life and property, a stark reminder of the dangers posed by serial arsonists in our national forests.
Related Federal Cases
- Sacramento Con Man Gets 4+ Years for $1.1M Tax Heist · California
- SoCal Grifter Gets 5.5 Years for SBA Scam · California
- Tax Cheat Gets 18 Months for $1.2M Scam · Alabama
- Tax Cheat Gets 18 Months: $1.2M Scam · Alabama
- Tax Fixer Gets 18 Months for $1.2M Fraud Scheme · Alaska
Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
