Woman arrested for arson faces 17 years in prison

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the arrest of Elizabeth Houston, a suspect charged with arson in connection with a fire that occurred on August 16, 2024, in Truckee, California. Eyewitness accounts led police to Houston, who was arrested for violating Penal Code 451, which pertains to both intentional and negligent arson. Given the extent of the damages, the charge is classified as a felony.

Houston's history with law enforcement dates back to August 18, 2021, when she was linked to a stolen vehicle in Truckee. After being arrested at that time, she was released on bond but failed to appear for subsequent court dates, leading to multiple arrests in California's Central Valley. By the time of her latest arrest, she had an outstanding warrant with an $80,000 bail amount.

Following her arrest on August 10, 2024, in Stanislaus County, Houston was booked into Nevada County Jail. She faced her charges in court on August 14, where she pled guilty and was sentenced to time served along with informal probation. However, local law enforcement had no contact with her until two days later, when the fire incident occurred.

At the time of the fire, Houston sought assistance from a local service center but was denied due to her behavior. She is currently in custody with a bail set at $200,000 and faces potential prison time of up to 17 years if convicted. The meeting concluded with officials emphasizing their role in assisting fire investigators and managing the criminal case against Houston.