Man accused of arson on own property, threatening deputies, Mariposa Sheriff’s Office says

A Mariposa man was arrested by deputies last week, after reportedly setting fire to his property and threatening deputies and firefighters, according to authorities.

Mariposa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 5000 block of Alta Vista Road on July 23, for reports of a vegetation fire that involved structures and a male acting violently, according to a Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Authorities said the deputies contacted Charles Leslie, 52 of Mariposa, who purposely set his property on fire. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Leslie was upset that Cal Fire firefighters attempted to control and contain the fire, making death threats to firefighters and threatening to shoot anyone who attempted to make contact with him.

Leslie reportedly shouted multiple times that he was a killer or that he would kill anyone who attempted to suppress the fire, according to the news release.

The Sheriff’s Office said firefighters were moved to a safe location where they were able to monitor the fire and weather conditions.

Authorities said the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team or SRT, responded to the scene and authorities learned there was an autistic minor child inside the home. The SRT team reportedly witnessed Leslie drinking multiple bottles of alcohol and could hear the man screaming belligerent and degrading statements at the child, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Leslie continued to yell violent threats at deputies such as ‘I will kill you,’ and ‘ You are going to die tonight,’ authorities said.

A Sheriff’s Office Negotiation Team was used to contact Leslie over the phone. Authorities said Leslie would not allow the child to leave, and multiple attempts were made to get the man to exit his home peacefully and allow firefighting efforts.

After about two hours, the child exited the home and deputies took the child to safety before turning the child over to the mother who was waiting at the Sheriff’s Office.

After about three hours, the SRT unit along with additional deputies and K-9 Niko, made entry to the home and located Leslie in an upstairs area of the home where he continued to not comply with demands.

Sheriff K-9 Niko was deployed and following a short struggle, Leslie was taken into custody and transported to John C. Fremont Hospital for medical clearance before being booked into the Mariposa County Adult Detention Center, authorities said.

According to Mariposa County Sheriff’s Deputy Kristie Mitchell, the child was not physically injured and no injuries to deputies or firefighters were reported.

Leslie was booked on suspicion of felony arson of a structure, child endangerment, arson on land, violation of arson code during a state emergency, resisting arrest and misdemeanor fight, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

He is currently in custody in lieu of $500,000 bond.

This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 12:59 PM.