Bobby Salazar appears in federal court, pleads not guilty to arson charges

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Longtime Fresno edifice proprietor Robert "Bobby" Salazar appeared successful national tribunal Thursday, accused of orchestrating an arson crippled to cod security money.

Investigators allege Salazar hired a subordinate of a motorcycle nine to acceptable occurrence to his namesake edifice connected Blackstone Avenue. According to tribunal documents, Salazar received $980,000 successful security payouts aft the fire.

Salazar pleaded not blameworthy to each charges during his tribunal appearance. He was appointed a nationalist defender, though a fiscal proceeding volition find whether helium tin spend his ain attorney.

He is scheduled to instrumentality to tribunal Friday for a detention hearing, wherever a justice volition determine whether helium tin stay escaped portion awaiting trial.

If convicted, Salazar faces up to 30 years successful prison.