On September 5, 2020, an innocent gender reveal party in El Dorado, California, sparked a massive fire that quickly spiraled out of control, destroying thousands of acres of land and causing millions of dollars in damage. The parties responsible, Refugio Jimenez Jr. and his wife Angelina, have finally reached a plea agreement in the case, almost a year and a half after the tragic events unfolded.
The couple, who had been cooperating with authorities since the beginning of the investigation, were charged with involuntary manslaughter and other felony and misdemeanor charges. They initially pleaded not guilty and attempted to have the charges dismissed, but their efforts were denied by the courts.
In court on February 9, 2021, Refugio Jimenez Jr. decided to change his plea to guilty for involuntary manslaughter and two counts of recklessly causing a fire to an inhabited structure. As part of the plea agreement, he was sentenced to one year in county jail, two years of probation, and 200 hours of community service.
His wife, Angelina Jimenez, also pled guilty to three misdemeanor counts of recklessly causing fire to the property of another and was sentenced to one-year summary probation and 400 hours of community service.
The couple was also ordered to pay $1,789,972 in restitution to the victims of the fire. This includes those who lost their homes, valuable possessions, and cherished memories in the devastating blaze. The District Attorney’s Office acknowledged the significant impact that the couple’s reckless behavior had on the community and stressed that every step of the investigation and court proceedings took into consideration the loss suffered by the victims.
In a press release, District Attorney Jason Anderson expressed his condolences to the victims and their loved ones. He also acknowledged that while the resolution of the case is not a “win” for anyone involved, it is a step towards closure and healing for all parties.
Anderson emphasized that the restitution provided by the Jimenezes will go towards helping the victims become whole again, although the intangible losses can never be replaced.
The Jimenezes are set to report to court on February 23, 2021, and begin their sentences. The community is now left to pick up the pieces and start the long process of rebuilding and recovering from the tragic events of September 2020. The fire also took the life of U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter Charles Morton, who heroically battled the flames but ultimately lost his life in the line of duty. Two other firefighters and 13 other individuals also suffered injuries as a result of the fire.
The case of the El Dorado wildfire serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless actions and the devastating consequences they can have. While the plea agreement may bring some closure to the community, it also serves as a cautionary tale to always exercise caution and mindfulness to prevent future tragedies from occurring.
As the community moves forward, it is our hope that they can find strength and unity in the face of such a devastating event.
