SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. – On Wednesday Oct 1st, the Honorable Judge Kersey sentenced Justin Halstenberg, (35) of Norco to 16 Years to Life in prison for charges related to igniting both the Bacon and Line Fires in September of 2024.
The Bacon Fire was found and extinguished by a good Samaritan, but the Line Fire grew to 44,000 acres, forcing thousands of residents in the mountain communities to flee their homes and businesses for weeks. Additionally, the Line Fire cost millions of dollars in firefighting and first responder resources.
“It’s clear that Halstenberg’s intent was sheer destruction and devastation, said District Attorney Jason Anderson. Our mountain communities will be impacted by his crimes for many years, and additional lengthy and ongoing environmental recovery efforts.”
“I want our communities to know that we stand with you, and hope that with this verdict and life sentence you can be assured that a serial arsonist will no longer torment our County. I want to also thank the men and women of the jury for their time and consideration. “
The case would not have come to a conclusion without the swift and thorough old-fashioned detective work of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, namely Detective Jacob Hernandez, of Highland Sheriff’s Station, and the expertise of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire) Battalion Chief Matthew Kirkhart and his team of Cal – Fire Investigators.
The Honorable Judge Kersey presided over the case, which was successfully prosecuted by San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney’s Justin Crocker and Andrew Peppler.
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