Brush fire suspect charged with arson

The convicted arsonist suspected of setting a string of brush fires in the Lake Hughes area during the height of the October firestorms in Southern California was charged Friday with eight counts of arson, authorities said.

Rickey Jimenez, 52, of Lake Hughes was arrested Wednesday night and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at the Antelope Valley Courthouse. Sheriff's officials allege he drove around the Lake Hughes area Oct. 28 setting small brush fires, all of which were extinguished before spreading beyond an acre.

Jimenez has two previous arson convictions. In 1979 he was convicted of setting a fire at a school. In 1988 he was sent to prison after an arrest in a case involving arson fires at 13 nail salons in the San Fernando Valley.

If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Jimenez is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 12.

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