L.A. District Attorney blasts wildfire-related crime suspects, offers victims advice

In a Wednesday morning press conference, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman did not hold back when speaking on individuals looking to take advantage of or exploit victims of the recent wildfires that have devastated entire communities. 

Hochman, who was sworn in last month after beating out incumbent George Gascón by a wide margin, first acknowledged the efforts of fire crews, law enforcement and first responders throughout the entire multi-front firefight. 

“[Their] work has been nothing short of heroic,” he said. “Over 200,000 people who’ve had to evacuate and cooperated, it’s very impressive.” 

That was about as lighthearted as Hochman got, as he quickly turned his attention to wildfire-related crime suspects and victims. 

“There are people out there who have decided that they are going to take advantage of this tragedy and that they’re going to exploit this crisis for their own personal benefit,” the DA stated. “We have sent this warning, and I’ll say it again: The question is not if, but when you are arrested. You will then be prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law.” 

Looting, arson

The DA elaborated on his office’s charging of 10 different suspects that he announced on Monday, nine of whom are accused of looting (in relation to both the Palisades and Eaton fires) and the 10th of arson. 

The shortest sentence any one of those suspects is facing is a six-year prison term, Hochman said. At least one other is facing nine years, while others could serve more than two decades in prison, and the possibility of a life sentence is not out of the question either. 

“We have people looking at 22 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison,” he said. “These are very significant punishments; justice will be swift, and justice will be significant if you want to take advantage of this tragedy.” 

The District Attorney’s Office has also filed two additional arson charges against people accused of lighting multiple fires in the City of Industry and Irwindale. Neither incident is connected to the Palisades or Eaton fires, Hochman clarified.  

In the Industry case, the suspect set bushes, a pallet and the back of a tractor trailer on fire, according to the DA. He is facing a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. 

In Irwindale, the suspect was charged with lighting a fire underneath a 605 Freeway overpass; they are looking at 14 years in prison, Hochman said.  

Price gouging

Those aren’t the only crimes on the DA’s mind, however, as his office is now looking into additional looting incidents as well as price gouging. 

“The price gouging is particularly despicable, because these are people who are looking at this situation and asking how [they can] make the most amount of money from people desperately seeking housing, supplies and services because they’ve lost everything,” Hochman remarked. “I will tell you, with respect to this price gouging, we have seen people increase their prices for rooms [or] houses they are leasing by 100, 200 and 300 percent.” 

“Here again is my warning: If you’re one of those people who has engaged in price gouging, not only do you need to stop it immediately, I would strongly recommend that you go back and fix it…go back and refund the amount you have overcharged people,” he continued. “We will certainly take that into consideration in deciding whether or not to charge you. So, if you want to abide by the law, you could benefit from it right this second.” 

Criminal penalties aren’t the only thing that convicted individuals will face, as they will also face civil penalties and, “most importantly” to the DA, their names will be released. 

“You will be publicly shamed,” Hochman stated. “I want to make that crystal clear.” 

Financial scams

The DA’s office is also alerting residents of scams involving fake donation organizations and fraudulent charities that target individuals looking to donate to wildfire victims.

“My strong message to [residents] is, if this happens, please check the organization that you are donating your money to beforehand,” Hochman said. “Do not donate cash, do not even donate Bitcoin, because it’s very hard to track.”

The same goes for insurance scams.

“Be very careful, because there are scammers out there who are going to try and make you promises that they can give you certain benefits from insurance that are completely false,” DA Hochman continued. “Make sure you check out any insurance claims…the federal and state governments are going to be offering people in need significant dollars to [help them recover]; however, these will be ripped off. I will guarantee you there are people who are looking at this to rip [victims] off.”

Hochman then turned to the suspects behind those types of crimes and warned them that the consequences will be “swift and significant.”

Dozens of people have already been arrested in relation to the Palisades and Eaton fires and charged with curfew violations, burglary and weapons offenses, among others.

More than 40 individuals accused of similar crimes were arrested in Palisades Fire evacuation zones by the Santa Monica Police Department, authorities said Monday.

Since breaking out last week, the Palisades and Eaton fires have scorched nearly 60 square miles combined, which is nearly the size of Washington, D.C.

At least 24 people have died in the fires, which are expected to be two of the most destructive disasters in the region’s history when all is said and done.