Previous Story
Man gets 2 years for burning car
|
Posted on Jun 22 2017
A 52-year-old man was sentenced yesterday to two years in prison for burning his wife’s car at her house in San Vicente.
Krishna Chaulagain was convicted of domestic violence: reckless burning. He was given credit for time served since his arrest on March 10, 2017.
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho said a civil judgment will also be entered against Chaulagain in an amount to be determined within 90 days.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement was given a copy of the decision.
Chaulagain is a Nepalese citizen.
The Office of the Attorney General had charged Chaulagain with reckless burning and criminal mischief, offenses that carry a maximum total sentence of 12 years imprisonment.
The OAG twice amended the information. The second amended information charged Chaulagain with only domestic violence: reckless burning, which carries a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment.
Chaulagain pleaded guilty yesterday to domestic violence: reckless driving as part of a plea deal. His lawyer is Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig.
Assistant attorney general Jonathan Wilberscheid appeared for the government.
Chaulagain has a prior driving under the influence conviction.
Chaulagain set his common-law wife’s car on fire during a quarrel on March 8, 2017, in the garage, placing her and their two children in danger of death and bodily injury. The fire also placed his wife’s house in danger.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services said the car was completely burned, while the house had moderate to severe heat and smoke damage.
Police learned that the couple had an argument shortly after she arrived home and found Chaulagain asleep and smelling of alcohol in the bedroom.
