An illegal immigrant from Mexico regarded as a "person of interest" by police with starting one of the wildfires around Los Angeles has had multiple encounters with law enforcement since 2016, including a conviction for assault with a deadly weapon.
Mexican national Juan Manuel Sierra was named a "person of interest" in starting the nearly 1,000-acre Kenneth Fire, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday, citing law enforcement officials and a document that it reviewed. But KTLA-TV in Los Angeles reported Friday that after a police investigation, Sierra would not be charged with starting the blaze.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement Tuesday that Sierra, also known as Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown time, was arrested Friday by Los Angeles police on a felony probation violation and that it issued a detainer for him Monday.
"Sierra has multiple encounters with law enforcement from November 2016 to present for a variety of charges and was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon Oct. 10, 2023, in Van Nuys, California," ICE said.
Sierra was detained around 4:30 p.m. local time Thursday after residents said a man was riding a bicycle carrying a large blow torch, trying to set multiple garbage cans and old Christmas trees out for disposal on fire, according to KTLA. When the man rode away, neighbors followed him, and eventually stepped in.
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Monica Smith identified Sierra as a "person of interest" in the Kenneth Fire, which began Thursday afternoon near the Los Angeles and Ventura county line and threatened homes in Calabasas and Hidden Hills, the Times reported. The fire was contained to about 1,000 acres, and no structures were lost.
But KTLA reported Friday that LAPD Divisional Chief Dominic Choi said police investigated the case, interviewed the suspect, and decided he would not face arson charges.
"After the interview and additional investigative steps, looking at some additional evidence that was present, they made the determination that there was not enough probable cause to arrest this person on arson or suspicion of arson," Choi said at a news conference Friday morning.
Sierra had been under the LA County Probation Department's supervision since October 2023, the Times reported, citing Vicky Waters, the agency's communication director. He had pending violations for failing to report to his probation officer and violating the terms of his probation, she said. Sierra last reported to the probation department in November 2024.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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