Over a year and a half after the Clayton Fire tore through Lower Lake, alleged arsonist Damin Anthony Pashilk has yet to face a jury. This time, the delay is due to the People requesting a continuance as so much discovery is still needed to be received. It is anticipated that it will take another two months to collect all of the discovery. The defense is not opposed to a continuance. The Court found good cause to continue the Preliminary Hearing. Defense Attorney Jeffrey David Markham initially represented Pashilk. However, after Judge Richard Martin announced last year that he planned to retire, Markham was named to replace the judge on the bench. With that, Defense Attorney Mitchell Hauptman will now represent Pashilk. Pashilk is facing 19 arson charges related to a series of fires in the summer of 2016. Three of those charges relate to the Clayton Fire, which began its enormous roar on August 13, 2016. The blaze burned almost 4,000 acres and destroyed 300 structures, including 180 homes. While Pashilk pled not guilty to all charges, law enforcement conducted a further investigation of his possible involvement in the fires. Video surveillance at the start of previous fires reportedly captured images of a vehicle in the area. After identifying the car, authorities were able to track and arrest Pashilk. The setting of the preliminary hearing and the update on missing discovery is set for August 14 at 8:15 a.m. in a department yet to be announced.
Alleged Redbox thief pleads not guilty
A Clearlake man was in custody and recently appeared at his plea entry hearing after being arrested last month for possessing over 100 movies reportedly stolen from a Redbox kiosk near his worksite earlier in April. Jason Paul Mifsud, 35, entered a not guilty plea to all counts and denied the special allegations. According to Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Hobbs, about 200 movies were stolen from inside the rental machine located at the Carl’s Jr on Dam Road. Hobbs arrested Mifsud after he was found with 140 stolen movies where he resided. The officer said Mifsud knew the disks were illegally taken but denied stealing them. In a majority of the cases, the man had painted over the barcodes in an attempt to disguise them. The value of the stolen movies recovered amounted to $3,570, Hobbs said. Mifsud was located last month after Hobbs responded to a disturbance call in the 15800 block of 30th Avenue. There he made contact with the Clearlake man who was involved in the disturbance and was said to be armed with a firearm. According to Hobbs, he discovered that Mifsud was illegally camping in a tent on the property. It was there that the officer conducted a search of the tent and found the Redbox movies. Hobbs learned that he worked at the Carl’s Jr where the machine that was broken into was located. As a result, he was booked into the Lake County Jail for felony possession of stolen property with bail set at $15,000. During the recent hearing, the Court read and considered the bail study following the recommendation of the Lake County Probation Department. The defendant was released on his own recognizances with special conditions. A preliminary hearing has been set for May 29 at 8:15 a.m. in Department Two.
