Man Arrested in Conection with Santa Cruz Mountain Fires

Almost a year after the Santa Cruz Mountains were set ablaze, authorities arrested Channing Verden, a contractor hired to clear brush in the mountainous terrain, for arson. According to the Merc, "Verden has been charged with one felony count of unlawfully causing a fire, plus an enhancement of causing multiple structures to burn." If convicted, Verden faces a maximum of seven years in state prison. If you recall, the fire torched 4,270 acres and destroyed over 100 structures.