BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A woman accused of intentionally setting a Taft man on fire in January has pleaded not guilty, as court records outline allegations that she grabbed a gas can at a backyard gathering and threw gasoline onto a fire moments before the man was burned over most of his body.

Magdalena Junes pleaded not guilty Feb. 27, 2026, to unlawfully causing a fire resulting in serious bodily injury, according to the Kern County court website.

The incident happened Jan. 22, 2026, in the 700 block of K Street at a make-shift fire pit, where Magdalena “Maggie” Junes, a waitress at the Hungry Grizzly Sandwich Company, allegedly set Billy Terry, 44, on fire. Terry suffered severe burns over 70% of his body, according to court documents, which state that at least 30% were second-degree burns. He has undergone extensive surgeries since.

Court documents also indicate Junes was under the influence of alcohol. In a police interview after her arrest, Junes said she was “tipsy” before the incident and said it was an accident.

Taft police said in court documents that Junes provided inconsistent statements during the investigation. Court documents say Junes initially said she did not remember whether the fire pit was active when Terry was set on fire, but later admitted it was on fire. Police said she also denied holding or seeing a gas can, then later admitted seeing a “youngster” holding one.

According to court documents, a witness at the backyard fire pit gathering said they were walking with a gas can, realized there was no cap, and decided to put it under the house. The witness said Junes grabbed the gas can from the person’s hands and threw gasoline aggressively on the fire.

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Terry told police that as he walked away from the fire, he caught on fire about five feet away from it. Another witness said they saw Junes throw gasoline on the fire after seeing her walking toward the fire pit with a gas can, court documents said.

Court documents also describe a prior dispute between Junes and Terry. Two days before the incident, Terry told police the two were in a verbal fight. Court documents say Junes was seen drinking alcohol outside the Hungry Grizzly Sandwich Company and was later sent home by management, which she later denied.

Police questioned Junes’ sister on Jan. 27 while looking for Junes to obtain a statement, according to court documents. Her sister told police that Junes and Terry argued on Jan. 20 at Junes’ workplace, Hungry Grizzly Sandwich Company.

Junes was arrested Feb. 3, 2026, on a Ramey Warrant by Taft police. In the police interview, she said she took the gas can from another person and poured gasoline on the fire. She told investigators that Terry had his back to the fire and “inadvertently caught on fire,” and said she was “tipsy” when she arrived at the home.

Junes is due back in court on March 20.