Man who was convicted of arson and criminal threats after the girlfriend's lawn was examined on fire: there

Bakersfield, California (KBAK/KBFX) – A jury from Kern County convicted a man for several charges, including arson and attempted criminal threats, after setting his girlfriend's lawn on fire and threatening her, the district prosecutor of Kern County said.

According to court documents, Jacob Burton threatened to strangle them on July 16, 2024, which was annoyed by the news he found on his girlfriend's cell phone and damage them in their house. Then he went to a bar in the city center of Bakersfield, where he drank further, said prosecutors.

Burton's girlfriend, who felt annoyed and scared, called two friends to support. Burton called the women and threatened to see the house on fire, throw Molotow cocktails through the window and drive his truck through the side of the house. He later returned to the house with a can of petrol and put a fire in the front yard. The three women hid in a back room armed with a firearm when Burton hit the windows.

The fire was quickly extinguished, causing damage to the house and the surrounding buildings. The MPs of the Sheriff office of the Kern County arrested Burton on site. A blood analysis showed that its blood alcohol concentration was 0.161%.

“Burton's actions were not only unacceptable, but also extremely dangerous. I can't even start to explore the fear and burden of the victim in this situation. Although I am relieved that no damage has occurred, his behavior still deserves with criminal consequences,” said Kern da Cynthia Zimmer.

Burton was convicted of arson, two cases of crimes, tried criminal threats, offenses vandalism and offenses that drive under the influence of alcohol.

Burton is to be convicted on April 15, 2025. It is up to 3 years and eight months in prison.