An arsonist who torched an office near the cafeteria at Chula Vista High School on Thanksgiving was sentenced April 3 to one year in jail.
Azteco Frankie Soto, 26, was ordered to pay $2,182 in damages by Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Garry Haehnle under terms of three years probation. He received 181 days of jail credits.
Soto was also sentenced concurrently to 88 days for commercial burglary of Palm City Liquor store at 688 Hollister St. which occurred on Dec. 1, 2013. Soto pleaded guilty to arson and two burglaries in the unrelated cases in March.
Deputy District Attorney Laura Vogltanz said the judge allowed Soto to be released to a substance abuse recovery center after he has served 91 days in jail and when a bed is available.
His projected release date is June 2 if a bed is not available beforehand, according to the sheriff’s department.
Soto was charged Jan. 3 after being interviewed by Chula Vista Police.
The surveillance video footage captured Soto breaking into a school window with his skateboard. Soto was seen emptying food and seasoning containers onto the floor, police said.
The power was turned off by Soto and that resulted in much of the food spoiling during the Thanksgiving weekend.
The motive has not been determined.
A witness saw smoke coming from the cafeteria and the Chula Vista Fire Department put out the fire.
Police said Soto confessed to the break-in, arson, and vandalism to police.
