Man Convicted Of Arson In Catholic Church Fire
POMONA (AP) — Los Angeles County prosecutors say a man has been convicted of setting fire to a catholic church and causing more than $3 million in damage.
A jury deliberated for less than an hour Tuesday before convicting 35-year-old Gregory Shiga of five separate counts including aggravated arson. He could get life in prison at his sentencing scheduled for July 19.
Deputy District Attorney Renee Rose says Shiga broke into the sanctuary at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Hacienda Heights shortly after midnight on April 16, 2011. Rose says he saturated rolls of toilet paper with flammable material and sprayed the walls with a similar substance then started the blaze.
More than a year later, Shiga was arrested after an investigation by the Sheriff's Department and the FBI.
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