TWO SENTENCED ON ARIZONA WALLOW FIRE CHARGES

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – On August 22, 2012, Caleb Joshua Malboeuf, 26, of Benson, Ariz., and David Wayne Malboeuf, 25, of Tucson, Ariz., were sentenced for leaving a campfire unattended and building a campfire without removing all flammable material adequate to prevent its escape. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark E. Aspey sentenced both men to 48 hours in jail and placed both of them on probation for a term of five years.  Judge Aspey also ordered both men to complete 200 hours of community service, preferably on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. A restitution hearing is scheduled for October 15, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in Flagstaff.

Investigation into the source and origin of the Wallow Fire indicated that the fire started when an unattended and unextinguished campfire in the Bear Wallow area burned out of its fire ring and quickly spread in high winds after Caleb and David Malboeuf had gone on a hike. Upon smelling and seeing smoke from the direction of their campsite, the pair attempted to get back to their camp where they had left their gear. As they got closer, the smoke and flames became too intense, and they were forced to retreat. The fire, fueled by dry and windy conditions, burned over 538,000 acres and destroyed 32 residential structures, 4 commercial properties, and 36 outbuildings. Both men cooperated with authorities throughout the investigative process.

            The investigation in this case was conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, with assistance from the Apache County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Schneider, District of Arizona, Flagstaff.

CASE NUMBER:        11-04234-M-PCT-MEA
RELEASE NUMBER: 2012-189(Malboeuf)

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az