A young Fresno man is now a convicted arsonist following a series of attacks downtown two years ago.<\/p>\n
Alfred Sosa will have to register with local law enforcement, according to Fresno County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Negin.<\/p>\n
Surveillance video from February 2024 shows Sosa approaching a dumpster, setting debris on fire, and then walking away. Within moments, the Peerless Building sustained thousands of dollars in damage.<\/p>\n
Days later, Sosa then struck Valley Foods, starting a similar fire there.<\/p>\n
Sosa has since pleaded no contest to one count of arson.<\/p>\n
“Mr. Sosa is currently youthful,” his attorney said in court on Friday. “His substance abuse issues, unfortunately, contributed to the conduct in this case.”<\/p>\n
RELATED: Fresno business feeling relieved after investigators arrest arson suspect<\/a><\/p>\n The attorney asked for probation, but the judge denied it.<\/p>\n “You were on probation – juvenile probation — at the time this offense occurred,” Judge Negin said. “This was a serious offense.”<\/p>\n Judge Negin sentenced Sosa to two years. With credit for time served, he could be out within three months.<\/p>\n “It’s hard not to be angry,” Nader Assemi, the co-owner of the Peerless Building, told Action News in 2024.<\/p>\n On the phone Friday, Assemi characterized the fire as “frustrating,” but said he is not worried about a repeat attack, describing the problems in downtown Fresno as ever-changing.<\/p>\n “You can’t let this stuff get you down,” Assemi said in 2024. “This is part of owning a business. They’re minor setbacks, and you kind of take it in stride.”<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram.<\/a><\/p>\n