Accused Arsonist Set to Appear at Preliminary Hearing Monday

A preliminary hearing date is scheduled to be set this morning for Javier Adolfo Viera, who is accused of setting or trying to set a series of fires in Pasadena, South Pasadena and Los Angeles.

The proceedings will take place in Dept. 5 of the Alhambra Courthouse, 150 W. Commonwealth Ave.

Viera, 35, has already pleaded not guilty to 18 felony counts. He is charged with 10 counts of arson of a structure or forest, six counts of arson of property of another and two counts of attempting or aiding in an attempt to burn a structure, forest or property.

He is suspected in 21 arson/attempted arson incidents in South Pasadena, four in Pasadena and one in Los Angeles since mid-November.

The burns started as small vegetation fires and escalated to blazes set under or involving parked vehicles, and one involving the exterior door to a business.