Inland Empire Parolee Accused Of Joshua Tree Fire

INLAND EMPIRE, CA -- An Inland Empire man was charged with in federal court this week for allegedly starting a fire at Joshua Tree National Park. George William Graham, 26, of Twentynine Palms, was arrested after a fire damaged historic trees and other National Park resources in a 2.5-acre area behind the Oasis Visitor Center on Monday night.

National Park rangers arrested Graham at the scene after he was observed watching the blaze and admitted to law enforcement officers that he started the fire, according to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday afternoon.

Court records said Graham was known both to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department and the National Park Service as a California arson parolee, with prior law-enforcement contacts with both California and federal authorities.

Graham was charged with unlawfully setting timber afire, a felony offense punishable by up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Graham is detained in federal custody pending his next court appearance on April 11.

--Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone