Yuma man arrested for allegedly starting fire will not face criminal arson charges

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - 21-year-old Isaac Meza appeared in court on Monday for arraignment and was taken back into custody, but without any criminal arson charges that he was arrested for.

Meza will remain in custody on two drug crimes, but will not face multiple other criminal charges including arson, after being arrested and booked for allegedly starting a fire at a Yuma home.

Yuma police were dispatched to a residential fire last Thursday morning at a home in the 2100 block of South Madison Avenue.

When officers arrived, firefighters were already on scene working to extinguish the fire in a bedroom and were able to prevent it from spreading to other areas of the home.

At the scene, Meza was arrested and booked into Yuma County jail on charges of arson, criminal damage per domestic violence, aggravated assault per domestic violence, disorderly conduct per domestic violence and two drug charges involving methamphetamines.

All of these came with victim-related charges, but because the victim did not file former charges related to those listed, the conditions of release and significant bond had to be modified in court.

So instead, Meza will face just two criminal drug charges.

"The prosecutor's office has decided to charge you with two separate crimes. They are count one, possession of a dangerous drug, mainly methamphetamine, a class four felony. And count two, possession of drug paraphernalia involving methamphetamine, mentioning plastic bagging and glass pipe with residue," stated honorable judge Gregory S. Stewart.

Judge Gregory Stewart also stated that Meza would be subject to standard conditions of release required in state law.

A preliminary hearing is set for Friday, March 18th. If probable cause is found, Meza will be transferred to Yuma County Superior Court to face the criminal charges.

If no probable cause is found, Meza will be released from custody on the modified conditions of release which include no drug use, no use of weapons, no victim contact and no return to the residence in which the incident occurred.

The bond set was also modified. After initially having a significant amount set, the bond was reduced to $10,000.