Gender-Reveal Party Fire Couple Sentenced After Plea Deal

Couple Sentenced After Gender-Reveal Party

A couple, whose gender-reveal party led to the massive El Dorado fire in San Bernardino County in 2020, has been sentenced after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors. The disastrous incident, caused by the couple's pyrotechnics, resulted in a 22,000-acre fire that claimed the life of U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter Charles Morton, injured two firefighters, 13 others, and caused the destruction of five homes, as well as forced hundreds to evacuate.

Sentencing Details

Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr., who pleaded guilty to a felony count of involuntary manslaughter in Morton's death and two felony counts of recklessly causing fire to an inhabited structure, was sentenced to a year in county jail, two years of felony probation, and community service. Angelina Jimenez, who pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of recklessly causing a fire to another's property, was sentenced to a year summary probation and community service.

Restitution and Closure

Additionally, the couple was ordered to pay victims’ restitution in the amount of $1,789,972. San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson stated, “Resolving the case was never going to be a win. To the victims who lost so much, including their homes with valuables and memories, we understand those are intangibles that can never be replaced. Our hope with this resolution is that it closes a painful chapter in your lives, and the restitution provides a measure of assistance in becoming whole again.”

The incident caused widespread destruction, and the sentencing of the couple brings some closure to a tragic event that had devastating consequences on the affected communities.