CAL FIRE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO CONVICTION OF ARSONIST WHO SET FIRES IN LAKESIDE AND OTHER AREAS

By Miriam Raftery

August 12, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – On Friday, Poway resident Jonathan Benjamin Cohen, 45, was found guilty of five counts of arson.  “Cohen faces up to 30 years when sentenced in September,” says Cal Fire Captain Isaac Sanchez in El Cajon, speaking on behalf of County Fire Chief Tony Mecham.

“Cohen was responsible for lighting fires along Wildcat Canyon Road between the communities of Barona and Lakeside, Highway 67 just north of Lakeside, and Lake Wohlford Road between Escondido and Valley Center,” a press release issued by Cal Fire’s El Cajon office states.

Cohen was initially accused of starting eight wildland fires between 2014 and 2015, but was also suspected of lighting fires back to 2012.  He was charged with and convicted of maliciously setting five fires on forest lands.

He was arrested on July 8, 2015 by Fire law enforcement officers.

“The Cal Fire officers played many roles in conducting the fire investigations, performing surveillance operations, and executing the search and arrest warrants,” the release states. “With the cooperation of additional officers from the San Diego County Sheriff Department's Bomb/Arson Unit and US Fish and Wildlife Service, we were able to attain a successful conviction.” The jury trial began on July 20th and lasted just over two weeks.

Cohen is scheduled to be sentenced on September 30^th, 2016.