A transient who caused the 2013 Silver fire south of Banning that destroyed 26 homes and injured 12 firefighters pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and was immediately sentenced to 16 years in state prison.
Stephen Patrick Medlock, 58, then received about six years credit for time served that under California law was automatically doubled to slightly less than 12 years. The plea agreement was negotiated with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, said John Hall, a DA’s spokesman.
Under Wednesday’s plea in Superior Court in Banning, 22 counts of intentional arson of a structure or forest land, and 15 counts of intentional arson of an inhabited dwelling were dismissed. In their place, Medlock admitted to 14 counts of reckless burning of an inhabited dwelling. He faced “way significantly more” than 16 years if convicted of all charges, said his attorney, Skip Feild.