Arsonist Convicted of Fire That Killed a Dog and Burned Down a Home

Firefighters struggling to put out the arson fire in November 2015. [Photo by Laurie Jensen]

Press release from the District Attorney’s Office:

On January 19, 2017, a Humboldt County jury convicted Devin Lee James Schmidt, 24, of arson of an inhabited dwelling, which is a serious and violent offense under the California Penal Code.

The case against Schmidt arose from a fire in a residence on Muncie Street in Eureka on November 3, 2015. That same day, Humboldt Bay Fire Department Arson Investigator Captain Michael Landry determined the fire was intentionally set. His observations included a gas can with blood on it inside a bedroom and blood on the exterior of the house. During Captain Landry’s investigation, Schmidt arrived on the scene with bandages and cuts on his hands. A neighbor identified Schmidt as the person seen leaving the residence near the time of the fire. Firefighters detained Schmidt until law enforcement arrived.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Deputy Andrea Sherrod led the law enforcement investigation. HCSO Evidence technician Andy Campbell acquired blood samples from the gas can, outside the residence, and the defendant. California Department of Justice (DOJ) criminalists determined that it was Schmidt’s blood on the gas can and outside the house.

The court referred the case to the Humboldt County Probation Department for pre-sentencing reports. Sentencing is scheduled for February 23, 2017. Schmidt faces a potential maximum sentence of 8 years in state prison.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Adrian Kamada with assistance from District Attorney (DA) Investigators John Burke, Gary Cooper, and DA Information Systems Analyst Tom Pinto. Schmidt was represented by Deputy Public Defender Kelly Neel.

The District Attorney’s Office appreciates those who testified in the case, including the victims, neighbors, firefighters (Captain Landry, Chief Chris Emmons, and Firefighter Kyle Brown), law enforcement personnel (Deputy Sherrod, Sergeant Justin Braud, and evidence technician Campbell), and DOJ criminalists (MaryJo Olegario and Lynn Melgoza).

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7 Comments
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Anon Forrest
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Anon Forrest
7 years ago

When is the sentencing? I say “Hang ‘Im!” (Unless that’s too offensive…)

Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago

I’m offended

THC
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THC
7 years ago

A maximum sentence of eight years in state prison, what a joke and people wonder why criminals keep being criminals.

Lost Croat Outburst
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Lost Croat Outburst
7 years ago
Reply to  THC

You can get ten years for non-violent over-gardening. Didn’t he burn the dog up? About Schmidt. Shucks, that movie name is taken. So what? What a distorted legal system.

Ben Round
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Ben Round
7 years ago
Reply to  THC

I believe that arsonists have a mental illness. Therefore, yes, putting him in jail (without treatment) will help train him and cause him to further “keep being (a) criminal”.

Gazoo
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Gazoo
7 years ago

8years? Pffft! One could only hope for the worst for this monster, I would like to see him clean up all the animal shelters for the rest of his pitiful life…

Anon Forrest
Guest
Anon Forrest
7 years ago
Reply to  Gazoo

Yes. And on a leash.