Anonymous
By the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office
People v. Zacchaeus Caleb Taylor, Santa Barbara Superior Court Case No. 23CR01387
Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch announced today that Zacchaeus Taylor [31] pled guilty to one Count of Arson of Property for a fire started on June 23, 2022, near the La Cumbre Plaza. Pursuant to a plea agreement with the District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Taylor will be sentenced to three years state prison and will be required to pay restitution and register as an arson offender for life.
The charge stemmed from an arson, committed by Mr. Taylor. The arson was committed near 3845 State Street outside of the Furniture Gallery by Mattress Mike. The fire grew outside the building before setting off an overhanging fire sprinkler system which ultimately controlled and extinguished the fire.
Unfortunately, the sprinkler system also caused significant flood damage to inventory of the Furniture Gallery. It was a difficult time for Mr. Gustason, the owner of Mattress Mike, who had been dealing with Covid-19 logistical issues when the fire occurred. Many furniture items damaged by the fire suppression had already been sold and were being prepared for shipping when they needed to be replaced.
Sentencing is currently set for June 28, 2023, in Department 2 of the Santa Barbara Superior Court.
District Attorney John T. Savrnoch acknowledged that, “this successful prosecution was due to the tenacious work of City Fire Investigators corroborating with Santa Barbara Police Detectives and District Attorney Investigators to ensure Mr. Taylor was held accountable for his crime.”
