SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ronnie Dean Stout II, the man arrested last week on suspicion of starting the sprawling Park Fire in Northern California, has a criminal history dating back to at least 2001 and could face an extended prison sentence if convicted of arson.
Stout appeared Monday for his arraignment in Butte Superior Court. He faces a felony charge of arson of an inhabited structure or property. He also faces an enhancement of committing arson with special circumstances, and three enhancements related to prior convictions under California’s “Three Strikes” law.
His defense attorney did not enter a plea Monday on Stout’s behalf, with court proceedings scheduled to continue Thursday.
Here’s what else to know about Stout, his alleged role in the Park Fire and his criminal history.
What is Stout accused of in Park Fire?
Cal Fire arson and district attorney investigators arrested Stout at 2 a.m. July 25, nearly 12 hours after the Park Fire started, which the Butte County District Attorney Mike …