Third striker convicted for causing explosion that burned his motel room

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 12CF3471: October 30, 2013

THIRD STRIKER CONVICTED OF CAUSING EXPLOSION THAT STARTED FIRE INSIDE HIS MOTEL ROOM

SANTA ANA – A third striker was convicted today of causing an explosion that started a fire inside his motel room. Thanh Van Quang, 39, Fountain Valley, was found guilty by a jury today of one felony count each of arson of an inhabited property and possession of a flammable material with sentencing enhancements for arson with use of an accelerant.

The defendant has four prior strike convictions from 1998 for voluntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm, and two felony counts of robbery, and faces a maximum sentence of 36 years to life in state prison if convicted of the prior strike offenses. The Court will hear a bifurcated trial on the defendant’s prior convictions, Dec. 20, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-28, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2012, Quang started an argument with the manager at Pueblo Motel in Santa Ana about Quang inviting guests into his own motel room. Approximately one hour after the argument, Quang walked to a nearby gas station, purchased a gasoline canister, and filled it with one gallon of gasoline before he returned to the motel.

At approximately 4:00 p.m., Quang caused an explosion in his motel room, which started a fire that damaged his room and neighboring rooms. Quang was captured on surveillance removing several items from his room prior to the explosion.

Deputy District Attorney Andrew Katz of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney 401 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486