A 64-year-old woman who was accused of setting seven fires in El Segundo, including two blazes at churches, pleaded no contest to arson Monday and was immediately sentenced to 16 months in prison.
In a deal negotiated with prosecutors, Barbara Nania entered her plea to one of seven felony counts of arson filed against her, the District Attorney’s Office reported.
The series of fires started Aug. 17 with a blaze at a yarn store, and fires were subsequently set on Aug. 18, Aug. 20, Aug. 23 and Aug. 24. On the latter date, three fires were set, including one in the lobby of an Episcopal church while a service was underway.
Parishioners were able to put out that blaze.
Nania burned robes at a Catholic church in the Aug. 20 fire, prosecutors said.
No one was injured in any of the fires.
Nania was arrested by a patrol officer who realized she resembled the suspect caught on surveillance video.
A restitution hearing is set for May 4.
— City News Service