A Texas man arrested after a fire broke out at a Lakeport hotel earlier this year has pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him.
Timothy Lee Cofer, 32, of Henderson County appeared in court but was not in custody for his recent arraignment hearing.
Earlier in February, the defendant failed to appear at a preliminary hearing, resulting in the order of a bench warrant with Cofer’s bail set at $200,000.
But a motion was made to recall the warrant, even though the District Attorney’s Office said that Cofer had fled to Texas.
The Court set aside the bail forfeiture, reinstated bail, and the warrant was recalled.
Cofer has been charged with arson and possession of a controlled substance.
The charges stem from an incident in January when the 32-year-old truck driver was booked into the Lake County Jail for alleged arson after a one-room fire broke out at Rodeway Inn & Suites Skylark Shores Resort on Main Street.
The Court accepted the defendant’s guilty plea and appointed Defense Attorney Thomas Quinn to represent the defendant.
The matter was then referred to the Probation Department for the preparation of a sentencing report and recommendation.
The Sentencing Hearing has been set for June 11 at 1:30 p.m. in Department Two.
