Last Updated on January 13, 2025
An illegal alien was arrested with a blowtorch near the Kenneth fire in the Los Angeles region, which burned more than 1,000 acres of lan, according to a report by Fox News’ Bill Melugin.
“Per ICE sources, the man seen in a viral video being subdued by residents & arrested by police w/ a blowtorch near the #KennethFire in West Hills is an illegal alien from Mexico named Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva,” Melugin said on X. “He is in custody on a probation violation & has NOT been charged w/ arson. I’m told ICE will place a detainer request on him with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, but they do not expect it to be honored due to California’s Sanctuary State law. I’m told Sierra-Leyva will have a court appearance tomorrow. Again – he has not been charged w/ arson and is in custody only on a probation violation at the moment, as multiple agencies have been interviewing him.”
According to The New York Post, Sierra-Leyva has “a lengthy rap sheet in LA County and has been convicted of multiple crimes — including assault with a deadly weapon in 2023,” and collectively has spent two years in prison, but has not been removed from the United States.
The office of Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) called out the Biden administration after Sierra-Levya’s arrest.
“Illegal Aliens are starting fires with blowtorches and posing as fire fighters to burglarize homes,” he said. “Weak Democrat leadership in California resulted in devestation [sic] for thousands of Americans, now their failed immigration policies are putting even more Americans in danger.”
🚨Illegal Aliens are starting fires with blowtorches and posing as fire fighters to burglarize homes.
Weak Democrat leadership in California resulted in devestation for thousands of Americans, now their failed immigration policies are putting even more Americans in danger. pic.twitter.com/YUuLGpAxy9
— Rep. Wesley Hunt Press Office (@RepWPH) January 13, 2025
Hunt was referring to a man who was arrested in a fake fireman outfit and is suspected of disguising himself in order to loot burned wreckage.
According to the state of California, the Kenneth fire is 100% contained. However, the Palisades fire, which has ravaged almost 24,000 acres, is only 14 percent contained, and the Eaton fire, which has burned over 14,000 acres, is only 33 percent contained.
The state says that more than 12,300 structures have burned to the ground, while latest news reports say that at least 25 people have died.
