January 25, 2025 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman 
announced on Friday that two more individuals have been charged in connection with the ongoing wildfires — bringing the total number of individuals charged in fire-related cases to 25. These latest cases include felony charges of first-degree residential burglary and attempt to burn in Santa Monica and Brentwood.
"As I have stated from the beginning of this wildfire crisis, for those who commit crimes from looting to arson to impersonation of firefighters to price gouging to financials scams, justice will be swift and significant, District Attorney Hochman said. "You will be arrested, prosecuted, and punished to the full extent of the law. Targeting victims of these fires at their lowest moment is despicable and shameful, and this Office will do everything in its power to support the victims and bring their victimizers to justice."
Ivan Ruiz (36) of Moreno Valley is charged with one count of felony first-degree residential burglary and one count of felony looting during an emergency or evacuation: 2nd degree burglary in case 25ARCF00131. It is further alleged that Ruiz carried out the offense with planning, sophistication, and professionalism within the California Rules of Court; has had prior convictions; and had served in prison and county jail.
Ruiz pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Jan. 22 and his preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Feb. 7, Dept. 31 of the Airport Courthouse. He is being held on $100,000 bail. If convicted as charged, he faces six years in prison.
On Jan. 20, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Ruiz allegedly broke into a detached garage with living quarters above it in the 100 block of Mabery Road in Santa Monica. The property was located within an evacuation zone during a state of emergency, and Ruiz is accused of stealing items from the premises.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Christopher Reimers (55) of Los Angeles is charged with one count of felony attempt to burn in case 25ARCF00136. He faces aggravating circumstances of increasing seriousness of prior convictions and having a prior county jail or prison term.
Reimers is being held on $75,000 bail. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Jan. 22 and his 1368 PC report/nonappearance is set for Dept. 30 of the Airport Courthouse. If convicted as charged, he faces three years in prison.
On Jan. 18, at approximately 1:45 p.m., Reimers allegedly used a butane torch to ignite a brown bag filled with plastic and paper. He allegedly placed a flannel shirt over the burning bag and positioned it beneath a USPS mailbox at the intersection of San Vicente Boulevard and Montana Avenue in Brentwood.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The charges filed in these cases are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
LADA Charges Related to the Current LA Fires
Felony First-Degree Residential Burglary
- Ivan Ruiz, case 25ARCF00131, one count.
- Rudy Salazar, case 25PDCF00020, two counts.
- Lucia Jilrara Perez case 25PDCF00020, two counts.
- Roy Sims case 25PDCF00019
- Ryan Sims case 25PDCF00019
- Naquan Dewey Reddix case 25PDCF00019
- Pierie Obannon case 25PDCF00019
Felony First-Degree Residential Burglary and Looting During an Emergency or Evacuation: Grand Theft
- Martrell Peoples case 25ARCF00070, one count.
- Damari Bell case 25ARCF00070, one count.
Felony Looting During a State of Emergency or Evacuation: 2nd Degree Burglary
- Ivan Ruiz, case 25ARCF00131, one count.
- Joshua Love case 25ARCF00081, one count.
Felony Attempted Second-Degree Burglary
- Joshua Love case 25ARCF00081, one count.
Felony Unauthorized Entry of Closed Disaster Area
- Joshua Love case 25ARCF00081, one count.
Felony Attempt to Burn
- Christopher Reimers case 25ARCF00136, one count.
- Jose Gerardo Carranza Escobar case 25WCCF00034, one count.
Felony Arson
- Jose Gerardo Carranza Escobar case 25WCCF00034, one count.
Felony Arson During a State of Emergency
- Luis Felipe Gudino case 25DWCF00047, one count.
- Richard Alexander Peterson case 25DWCF00046, one count.
- Omar Lopez case 25DWCF00044, two counts.
- Manuel Rodriguez case 25ARCF00091, one count.
- Jaime Mota case 25WCCF00048, one count.
- Ruben Michael Montes case 25WCCF00047, one count.
- Jose Gerardo Carranza Escobar case 25WCCF00034, one count.
Felony Possession, Manufacturing, or Disposing of Flammable or Combustible Materials, Incendiary Devices, or Explosives with the Intent to Commit Arson
- Ruben Michael Montes case 25WCCF00047, one count.
Felony Arson of Property of Another
- Manuel Rodriguez case 25ARCF00091, one count.
- Travis Glodt case 25ARCF00089, three counts.
- Leopoldo Reveles case 25CMCF00082, two counts.
- Jaime Mota case 25WCCF00048, one count.
Felony Unlawful Possession of Ammunition: Prohibited by a Prior Conviction
- Keyshon Walker case 25ARCF00080, one count.
Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
- Keyshon Walker case 25ARCF00080, one count.
Felony Hit-and Run
- Travon Coleman case 25ARCF00080, one count.
Misdemeanor Possession of Burglary Tools
- Keyshon Walker, case 25ARCF00080, one count.
- Joshua Love case, 25ARCF00081, one count.
Misdemeanor Interference at Scene of Emergency
- Keyshon Walker, case 25ARCF00080, one count.
- Joshua Love case, 25ARCF00081, one count.
Felony Looting During a State of Emergency
- Joshua Love case 25ARCF00081, one count.
Felony Attempted Second-Degree Burglary
- Joshua Love case 25ARCF00081, one count.
Felony Unauthorized Entry of Closed Disaster Area
- Joshua Love case 25ARCF00081, one count.
Felony Receiving Stolen Property Exceeding $950 in Value
- Ivan Cedric Reed case 25VWCF00064, one count.
Misdemeanor Interference at the Scene of Emergency
- Joshua Love case 25ARCF00081, one count.
Misdemeanor Trespass by Entering and Occupying
- Joshua Love case 25ARCF00081, one count.
Misdemeanor Possession of Injection/Ingestion Device
- Joshua Love case 25ARCF00081, one count.
Misdemeanor Impersonation of a Firefighter
- Ivan Cedric Reed case 25VWCF00064, one count.
- Dustin Lee Nehl case 25VWCM00317, one count.
- Jennifer Nehl case 25VWCM00317, one count.
Misdemeanor Count of Unlawful Use of a Badge
- Ivan Cedric Reed case 25VWCF00064, one count.
For more information on these cases, please see our news releases here:
January 17, 2025: District Attorney Hochman Announces Nine More Individuals Charged with Crimes During Deadly LA County WildfiresSource: Los Angeles County District Attorney
