Charges were filed Wednesday against a 38-year-old Palm Springs woman accused of lighting palm trees on fire.
Tiara Chrystal Wons pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of non-dwelling arson during an arraignment Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, according to case records.
The defendant is due back in court for a felony settlement conference on Oct. 10.
The Palm Springs Police Department received a report shortly after 8 p.m. last Thursday that a woman was setting the trees on fire near the Parker Hotel, according to a department statement.
Police said they received information from a witness who “maintained visual contact” with the woman and observed her allegedly start the fires before leaving.
The witness’ description led to Wons’ arrest on Thursday night, police said.
Inmate records indicate that Wons is being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning in lieu of $10,000 bail.