August 26, 2018 - Tuolumne County Sheriff's office reports just after 4:30 AM last Thursday, Deputies responded to the Black Oak Casino for a reported arson.
Deputies were told 36-year-old Hugo Montes of Modesto, started a fire in the back of his cousin's pick-up truck in the parking structure of the casino and was told to leave the property.
A short time later, Black Oak Casino Security detained Montes for lighting two fires in the brush alongside Tuolumne Road North near the Casino. The Security Officer acted quickly and was able to extinguish the flames. A Fire Investigator with CalFire was on scene and determined matches were used to start the brush fires.
Deputies contacted Montes who appeared to be quite intoxicated. He had slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol emanating from him. Montes admitted to starting the fires and was arrested and booked into the Tuolumne County Jail for arson and public intoxication. Montes was given a blood alcohol breath test with a result of .168.
We are thankful for our partnerships with CalFire and Black Oak Casino Tribal Security. This was an extremely dangerous situation and could have ended much worse if not for the quick actions of the security officer.
Source: Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office
