Alleged Serial Church Arsonist Pleads Not Guilty

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 25-year-old man arrested in connection with a series of arson fires and vandalism targeting Southland houses of worship pleaded not guilty Monday to nearly two dozen criminal charges.

Christian Michael Garcia appeared in a downtown courtroom on 20 felony charges -- 13 counts of vandalism of a religious property, three counts of arson of a structure, two counts of second-degree commercial burglary and one count each of attempted second-degree robbery and arson of property -- plus two misdemeanor counts of vandalism under $400. The criminal complaint also includes hate crime allegations.

He was ordered to return on March 21, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.

Garcia has been held in lieu of $750,000 bail since his arrest Jan. 25 and, if convicted as charged, faces a maximum sentence of more than 23 years in prison.

He was arrested by the Inter-Agency House of Worship Task Force in connection with crimes that took place between Nov. 25, 2016, and Jan. 25, at four churches in Pasadena and Los Angeles. Garcia is also charged with vandalizing the sheriff's station in Industry.

"Arson is an egregious crime in all forms, but acts of arson against houses of worship are especially harmful as they are a violation against a holy sanctuary, a sanctuary that often anchors an entire neighborhood, that offers a place of peace and spirituality for the community," Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said at the time of Garcia's arrest.

The most recent fires were at Resurrection Church on Jan. 25 in Boyle Heights and the Church of the Angels in Pasadena on Jan. 13.

The 2 a.m. fire at Resurrection Church in the 3300 block of East Opal Street kept 60 firefighters busy for nearly 30 minutes. They were able to prevent the flames from spreading to the main sanctuary.

The Pasadena blaze at the 129-year-old Episcopalian Church of the Angels broke out at 2:20 a.m. Jan. 13 at 1100 N. Avenue 64. It was classified as a hate crime, according to fire officials, who said a few historic statues were "significantly damaged," and there was fire and smoke damage inside the church.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck said Garcia was "literally caught red-handed" while he was allegedly about to vandalize Mount Olive Church of Christ in God in South Los Angeles.

Following the arrest, Mayor Eric Garcetti hailed the work of investigators for helping people feel safer in houses of worship.

"These crimes are difficult to understand," the mayor said. "We don't know the motive. But we do know that when we stand together strong in the face of this senseless hate, this city will always rise."

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock