The man accused of setting the 391-acre Bear Creek Fire is facing more than 20 years in prison.
Marlon Coy, 54, was guarded by three deputies as he entered the courtroom on Monday. He is accused of: arson causing great bodily injury with special allegations; arson on an inhabited structure with special allegations; arson of a forest with special allegations; possession and exhibiting a firearm by a felon; looting; and, burglary.
A special allegation may add extra prison time when, if Coy is found guilty.
“It’s arson, it’s not an accident,” said Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell, outside the courtroom. “We are going to come after you if you do those sort of things in this county.”
Santa Cruz Sheriff’s say the fire started 475 Dianes Way in Boulder Creek, the home of Julia Cabibi, who was dating Coy at the time of the fire.
Investigators believe that the fire was set in response to a disagreement, possibly with Cabibi.
Prosecutors want to talk to Cabibi, who was called a “person of interest” by Rosell, after the hearing.
“We are actively trying to contact her,” said Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorney Mike McKinney, who is prosecuting the case with Rosell.
Coy’s public defender Sarah Schumacher asked Superior Court Judge John Salazar to reduce bail to $150,000, which she argued was the appropriate amount for the crimes Coy is accused of.
But prosecutors successfully argued that Coy has a long criminal history that includes two extraditions, meaning that he had fled after being charged.
Rosell said several men who were with Coy at the time of the fire have provided detailed statements that implicate the man. One additional witness has not been contacted yet.
Coy is also charged with burglarizing a home on Hidden Springs Road while the owners had evacuated because of the wildfire. Coy is accused of taking $15,000 worth of jewelry and a bike from the home on Oct. 17.
Coy was arrested on Oct. 27 while riding a bike in Live Oak, carrying a backpack filled with what is believed to be the stolen jewelry.
The Bear Fire, which was fully contained Wednesday, Oct. 26, burned nearly 391 acres, caused injuries to 13 firefighters — one of whom remains hospitalized — the destruction of two homes, four outbuildings, five RV’s, and 17 vehicles.
More than 1,000 firefighters from across the state battled the Bear Fire. Seventy-two Sheriff’s Office personnel were also involved, totaling more than 1,000 hours at a cost to the department of more than $85,000, according to Sgt. Chris Clark.
Coy is also facing numerous other charges in connection with a previous case, including carjacking and possession of a semi-automatic rifle.
He is currently being held on $800,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 4.
