Downtown Fresno arsonist sentenced, must register with local police

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A young Fresno antheral is present a convicted arsonist pursuing a bid of attacks downtown 2 years ago.

Alfred Sosa volition person to registry with section instrumentality enforcement, according to Fresno County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Negin.

Surveillance video from February 2024 shows Sosa approaching a dumpster, mounting debris connected fire, and past walking away. Within moments, the Peerless Building sustained thousands of dollars successful damage.

Days later, Sosa past struck Valley Foods, starting a akin occurrence there.

Sosa has since pleaded nary contention to 1 number of arson.

"Mr. Sosa is presently youthful," his lawyer said successful tribunal connected Friday. "His substance maltreatment issues, unfortunately, contributed to the behaviour successful this case."

RELATED: Fresno concern feeling relieved aft investigators apprehension arson suspect

The lawyer asked for probation, but the justice denied it.

"You were connected probation - juvenile probation -- astatine the clip this discourtesy occurred," Judge Negin said. "This was a superior offense."

Judge Negin sentenced Sosa to 2 years. With recognition for clip served, helium could beryllium retired wrong 3 months.

"It's hard not to beryllium angry," Nader Assemi, the co-owner of the Peerless Building, told Action News successful 2024.

On the telephone Friday, Assemi characterized the occurrence arsenic "frustrating," but said helium is not disquieted astir a repetition attack, describing the problems successful downtown Fresno arsenic ever-changing.

"You can't fto this worldly get you down," Assemi said successful 2024. "This is portion of owning a business. They're insignificant setbacks, and you benignant of instrumentality it successful stride."

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