Federal grand jury indicts man suspected of setting Spokane fire
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Alexandra Duggan, The Spokesman-Review
SPOKANE, Wash. (The Spokesman-Review) — A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted the man who confessed to setting a fire that destroyed hundreds of homes in and around Spokane on Aug. 1.
The Eastern Washington U.S. Attorney’s Office announced 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci’s indictment for arson on Friday afternoon in a press release. Prosecutors did not rule out additional charges in the future.
The office was exploring federal charges toward the end of August, The Spokesman-Review previously reported.
Investigators arrested Farinacci on suspicion of arson days after the Old Trails Fire after witnesses reported a man with his description huddled over the area where the fire started and looking odd.
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Farinacci later confessed to investigators he set the fire and planned it weeks in advance, looking for a day with high heat and high winds.
Farinacci remains in the Spokane County Jail and faces multiple counts of first-degree arson in state court in connection to the Old Trails fire and other fires in the county in the last two years.
The Old Trails fire destroyed more than 600 homes, other structures, cars, personal possessions and more. Under federal law, someone can be found guilty of arson if the properties destroyed affected interstate commerce. Rental properties are included.
Farinacci could face up to 40 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine if convicted of arson.