[ad_1]
Alexandra Souverneva, 30, faces arson charge with an increase in arson during the state of emergency, District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said. Souverneva could face up to nine years in state prison, although she could face further charges as the fire is still burning and the investigation is ongoing, authorities said.
“We are aware that there are other possible fires here in our county that she may be linked to, as well as other accusations in other fires, statewide,” Bridgett said at a conference press release Friday. “My office will not hesitate to prosecute (any) person who intentionally or recklessly starts a fire.”
Souverneva has pleaded not guilty, authorities said.
The district attorney’s office said she was named a public defender when she appeared in court on Friday. The county public defender’s office said it was not commenting on any pending cases.
Souverneva had hiked Canada on September 22 and was seen in the community of Mountain Gate in Northern California, according to an account written by a fire officer in Cal. Quarry workers told her she couldn’t be on the property, but she continued to walk.
Souverneva then got thirsty and found a puddle of water in the bed of a dried up stream, but the water would have contained bear urine so she tried to filter the water with a tea bag, said the officer.
“She said it didn’t work, so she tried to make a fire to boil the water. She said she was too wet for the fire to start. She said she did. had drunk the water anyway, then continued to climb up from the creek bed. “the complaint read.
Souverneva got stuck in the brush and called the fire department, according to the complaint. She was assessed by firefighters for dehydration and then questioned by Cal Fire authorities when she allegedly told them she had tried to start a fire. Souverneva was taken into custody, according to the complaint.
Souverneva was found with CO2 cartridges, a lighter and a “white object containing a green leafy substance,” the complaint says.
Souverneva’s bond is $ 150,000 and her next court appearance is October 5.
[ad_2]
Source link