A Santa Ynez Valley man was sentenced Thursday in Santa Barbara County Superior Court to more than four years in state prison after being convicted of unlawfully starting a fire in 2021 and charges from two earlier cases.
A jury found Steven Nicholas, 63, guilty after a short trial in late February.
The charge stems from the Caballo Fire that sparked on the afternoon of Sept. 6, 2021, threatening structures and blackening 70 acres before being contained.
Before being extinguished, the fire burned multiple properties on Avenida Caballo, Canada Este Road and Old Calzada Road, according to the criminal complaint.
Fire investigators determined that the defendant was using a Mag torch to burn weeds on his property on Avenida Caballo without a burn permit and despite 96-degree heat and 22% humidity.
A small burn quickly grew out of control, and fire agencies issued evacuation orders and warnings for residents in the area.
Nicholas didn’t show up for the reading of the jury verdict in the February trial, leading Judge Denise Hippach to issue an arrest warrant.
Sheriff’s deputies took Nicholas into custody in early March after locating him at the home.
On Thursday, Hippach sentenced Nicholas to four years and four months in state prison for the fire and other charges including evading law enforcement officers on the Gaviota Coast in September 2020.
The third case centered on credit card theft of approximately $10,000 from a relative, also in 2020.
Deputy District Attorney Madison Whitmore led the prosecution team while Adam Pearlman represented Nicholas.