Current:Home > MyReno man convicted of arsons linked to pattern of domestic violence, police say -TradeGrid
Reno man convicted of arsons linked to pattern of domestic violence, police say
View
Date:2025-04-24 06:03:27
RENO, Nev. (AP) — A jury has found a 44-year-old Reno man guilty of five counts of arson for starting a pair of destructive fires that police said were linked to a pattern of domestic violence.
Matthew Kimmens was convicted earlier this year of domestic battery, the Reno Gazette Journal reported.
A Washoe County District Court jury convicted him Friday after a five-day trial on the arson charges stemming from the fires he started on Aug. 14, 2022, the newspaper reported. The flames destroyed one home and damaged three nearby.
The fires were near the home of the woman’s father. Authorities estimated the blazes caused $1.7 million in damage. Two helicopters, four airplanes and more than 15 fire engines responded to the growing blaze before the flames were doused.
Police said evidence linked the arson attacks to a pattern of domestic violence. The woman, who had been in a relationship with Kimmens for 2.5 years, told investigators they had a fight on the day of the fires and she left to stay at a hotel.
She said that Kimmens believed she was staying at her father’s home and told her on the telephone that day, “I hope they have lots of marshmallows.”
About 20 minutes later, a fire started. A jogger spotted a man matching Kimmens’ description throwing gasoline-colored liquid on sagebrush next to the road before a second blaze began.
Further investigation also unveiled in Reno police reports that Kimmens “has propensity for damaging property and being violent when it comes to his relationship,” the newspaper reported.
“The recklessness and utter disregard for public safety exhibited by Kimmens was frightening,” Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks said in a statement Monday. “If not for the extraordinary suppression efforts by firefighters, this tragedy could have been far worse.”
He was arrested last November after the woman reported he hit and strangled her.
His sentencing is set for Dec. 18.
veryGood! (56)
Related
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Diamond Shruumz recall: FDA reports new hospitalizations, finds illegal substances
- Man arrested in connection with attempt to ship a ton of meth to Australia
- King Charles III applauds people who stood against racism during recent unrest in the UK
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Olympic medal count today: What is the medal count at 2024 Paris Games on Sunday?
- Paris is closing out the 2024 Olympics with a final star-studded show
- Kelly Ripa Shares How Miley Cyrus Influenced Daughter Lola’s Music Career
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- UNC women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance, who won 21 NCAA titles, retires
Ranking
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Brittney Griner’s tears during national anthem show how much this Olympic gold medal means
- Tyrese Haliburton jokes about about riding bench for Team USA's gold medal
- California's cracking down hard on unhoused people – and they're running out of options
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Ab Initio
- US surgeon general was warned by his mom to avoid politics, but he jumped into the fray anyway
- 18-year-old Iowa murder suspect killed by police in Anaheim, California
Recommendation
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Ryan Reynolds thanks Marvel for 'Deadpool & Wolverine' slams; Jude Law is a Jedi
Harris is pushing joy. Trump paints a darker picture. Will mismatched moods matter?
Maine can now order employers to pay workers damages for missed wages
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Ana Barbosu Breaks Silence After Her Appeal Leads Jordan Chiles to Lose Her Olympic Bronze Medal
Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James star in USA basketball Olympic gold medal win
Hair loss is extremely common. Are vitamins the solution?