Carey Alice Hernandez has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for setting fire to Off Road Warehouse, a business she managed financially, in an attempt to hide the disappearance of over $700,000. A jury found her guilty of malicious destruction of a building by means of fire, witness tampering, and making false statements.
The incident traces back to late 2018 when an audit by a prospective buyer revealed significant financial discrepancies at Off Road Warehouse, located on Balboa Avenue. Between January 2015 and March 2019, $744,621 went missing while Hernandez was responsible for the company's finances.
On March 28, 2019, Hernandez set the fire that destroyed the building. "This defendant intentionally set a dangerous inferno in what appears to have been an attempt to conceal a massive theft," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. He emphasized that although no one was injured physically, the loss was devastating for ORW.
U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta condemned Hernandez's actions as "wanton, deliberate and destructive" during the sentencing hearing. The judge highlighted that involving her daughter in covering up her crimes exacerbated the situation.
Evidence presented at trial included surveillance footage showing Hernandez driving near the scene of the fire in an SUV with dark rims. She later misled federal agents about this detail, which contributed to her convictions for witness tampering and false statements.
The case was investigated by ATF’s National Response Team alongside San Diego’s Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST). Jose Medina from ATF's Los Angeles Field Division remarked on the severe impact of arson crimes and reaffirmed their commitment to justice.
A restitution hearing is scheduled for March 14, 2025. The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Brehm and Carl Brooker.