Accused King Fire arsonist in South Lake Tahoe jail
Wayne Allen Huntsman, the accused King Fire arsonist, is sitting in the El Dorado Jail in South Lake Tahoe awaiting an Oct. 28 court date.
Huntsman was arrested Sept. 17 on felony charges of arson on forest land with a special allegation of arson with aggravating factors. He was arraigned Friday in Superior Court where he pled not guilty and transferred to the county jail in South Lake Tahoe. His bail remains at $10 million.
The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said it could not release any information surrounding the reason for Huntsman being held in South Lake Tahoe. When asked if he was in South Lake Tahoe instead of Placerville because of publicity, threats or overcrowding, EDCSO referred all inquiries to the District Attorney's office.
The South Lake Tahoe District Attorney's Office said it couldn't answer any media questions.
Huntsman is scheduled to be in El Dorado Superior Court Department 7 on Oct. 28 at 8 a.m. for a pre-preliminary hearing. He has been assigned a public defender according to court records.
The King Fire was started Sept. 13 east of Pollock Pines in El Dorado County. As of Tuesday night it had burned 89,574 acres, destroyed 12 homes, 56 other structures and is 35 percent contained. There are 7,388 fire personnel assigned to the King Fire. A Red Flag Warning is in effect over the fire area due to high winds and low relative humidity.