May 10, 2024
Micah Tillmon

Micah Tillmon, Alex Pinto and Mynor Pinto are suspected of looting multiple stores in downtown Santa Monica during civil unrest in May, 2020. Photo: SMPD

The arsonist may get burned a little less.

Micah Tillmon — the West Hills man accused of torching a Santa Monica sushi restaurant last year — appears to have struck a deal with prosecutors that could save him as much as a decade behind bars.

Tillmon, 20, is expected to plead guilty to Federal charge of possessing an unregistered destructive device, according to at least one published report.

The arrangement would still land him behind bars for up to ten years.

If the plea is accepted, Tillmon could also be on the hook for $500,000 in cash restitution.

Tillmon was one of three teens arrested for their role in the May 31, 2020 torching of the Sake House at Fourth Street and Santa Monica Boulevard.

The incident was part of a larger display of civil unrest during protests related to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Per MyNewsLA.com:

Security video from the restaurant shows Tillmon removing “a red tube-shaped object from his jacket, which he placed behind the reception desk area of the restaurant before walking away. Within seconds of that action, smoke and fire appeared from the area.”

Investigators with the Santa Monica Fire Department determined that the fire was caused by the object Tillmon allegedly placed in the restaurant. 

Tillmon was taken into custody about a month later along with Gisselle Alexis Pinto, 19, and Mynor Pinto, 18.

The brother and sister were arrested by Santa Monica Police on suspicion of looting local businesses including REI, Brandy Melville, Vons, Magicopolis, Salon Viva, Wasteland and the Shoe Palace.

Their cases are still pending.

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