Spokane Arson Suspect's Bail Set at $2 Million Amid Allegations of 25 Fires, New Charges

The individual accused of igniting the extensive Old Trails Fire in Spokane County saw his bail escalated to $2 million on Thursday, following the formal filing of four additional arson charges by prosecutors. Authorities further alleged that the suspect admitted to initiating 25 fires across the region since last summer.

Court Proceedings and New Allegations

During a court appearance on Thursday, Judge Jeremy Schmidt determined there was probable cause to proceed with the four new counts of first-degree arson against Farinacci. These charges are related to fires purportedly set since the summer of the previous year.

An arrest affidavit detailed that Farinacci initially denied any involvement in the Old Trails Fire during a 90-minute interrogation after his apprehension on August 3. However, he later allegedly confessed to both planning and actively setting the blaze.

Detectives also indicated they had corroborated evidence linking Farinacci to several other area fires, specifically naming the Aubrey White, Copper River/Meenach, Fort George, and Indian Bluff incidents.

In court, Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam advocated for a higher bond, stating, "I am asking the court to increase bail or bond in this amount to $2 million, given the gravity of these charges, given the addition of four separate arson counts." Judge Schmidt concurred with the request, remarking, "The amount, as requested by Prosecutor McCollam, is appropriate."

The scheduled arraignment was also postponed on Thursday, as Farinacci's defense counsel requested a mental competency evaluation to ascertain his fitness to stand trial.

Devastation of the Old Trails Fire

The expanded charges come amidst the widespread destruction caused by the Old Trails Fire, which began on August 1. The conflagration consumed over 3,200 acres, obliterated approximately 700 homes and other structures, and necessitated the evacuation of more than 60,000 residents.

Court documents further revealed that Farinacci ultimately admitted to meticulously planning the Old Trails Fire for a period of two weeks. These documents describe how he constructed a time-delay incendiary device using paper, matches, cigarettes, and rubber bands, reportedly modeling it after methods employed by notorious serial arsonist John Leonard Orr.

Additionally, documents allege that Farinacci intentionally ignited multiple fires simultaneously at different times, ostensibly to divert and overwhelm emergency response teams.

Prior Legal History

Background checks conducted on Farinacci uncovered a previous conviction for manslaughter. This stemmed from an incident in Arizona in 2010 where he fatally shot his father. He subsequently served approximately a decade in prison after entering a guilty plea in 2012 to charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault.