VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Marcela Magana Ruiz (DOB 10/03/72), of Santa Paula, has been charged with the felony crimes of arson of an inhabited structure or property and child abuse in connection with a fire that occurred on December 1, 2019, at a residence in Santa Paula.
If convicted on the charges and serious crime “strike” allegation, which limits custody credits, Ruiz faces up to 9 years 4 months in prison.
On December 4, 2019, Ruiz appeared in court and was arraigned on these charges. An early disposition conference was set for December 13, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 37 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Bail for Ruiz is currently set at $500,000.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.
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