Los Angeles Fires: Illegal Immigrant Arrested for Using Torch to Start Fires – Will Arson Charges Be Claimed?

According to news reports, a man arrested last week in the Los Angeles area, where a series of devastating wildfires were raging, has been identified as Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, a Mexican citizen in the US illegally.

The suspect, who is facing probation violation charges, was arrested after a chase by local Woodland Hills residents. Residents reportedly saw him shortly after using a blowtorch to set old Christmas trees and debris on fire fires it started spreading on Thursday (January 9). One witness described the device he was using as a “flamethrower.”

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has not publicly released details of its prior conviction for Sierra-Leyva, who is being held on a probation violation. Los Angeles Police are currently investigating the incident as a possible arson case, but on Friday, Deputy Chief Dominic Choi said there was not yet enough evidence to formally charge him with the crime.

Following the situation highlighted by The Post, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed a detention request for Sierra-Leyva three days ago with the goal of securing his transfer to federal custody. However, sources familiar with the situation indicate that ICE does not expect the request to be granted due to California’s Sanctuary State policy, according to the report. These rules, established by Los Angeles city ​​council and Gov. Gavin Newsom, are preventing local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities in some cases.

A law enforcement source cited by The Post noted that “The lack of communication between local and federal law enforcement in Los Angeles due to sanctuary policies… resulted in many arrests that were not reported to and that were not monitored by ICE.” The source added that many people caught under these rules have criminal histories and have committed serious crimes.

Sierra-Leyva, who has a long criminal history in Los Angeles County, was convicted in 2023 of assault with a deadly weapon. He spent a total of more than two years in prison, according to records reviewed by The Post.