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United States of America v. Robert “Bobby†Salazar
Date: 08-26-2025
Case Number:
Judge:
Court: The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Sacramento
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best Sacramento, California Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Sacramento, California criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with arson of commercial property and arson in furtherance of a felony for directing a motorcycle gang member to set fire to an underperforming restaurant property
Fresno Restaurant Operator Charged with Hiring a Gang Member to Set Fire to Restaurant
Fresno restaurant operator Robert "Bobby†Salazar, 63, has been arrested on a federal complaint for arson of commercial property and arson in furtherance of a felony for directing a motorcycle gang member to set fire to an underperforming restaurant property, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, on April 2, 2024, a fire broke out at the vacant Bobby Salazar's restaurant on Blackstone Avenue in Fresno. Fire investigators determined that the cause of the fire was arson, with partially burned gas cans located inside the restaurant and extensive fire damage to the interior:
According to court documents, agents learned that the person who set the fire was the president of the local Screamin' Demons Motorcycle Club. Salazar allegedly hired the motorcycle gang member to start the fire and then claimed to his insurance company that he had nothing to do with the arson. He was ultimately paid out at least $980,739 for his insurance claim.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fresno Fire Department, with assistance from the Fresno Police Department, the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert L. Veneman-Hughes and Brittany M. Gunter are prosecuting the case.
Salazar is expected to make an initial court appearance on Aug. 27, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe in Fresno at 2:00 P.M.
If convicted, Salazar faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for commercial arson, as well as 10 years in prison mandatorily consecutive for arson in furtherance of a felony.
If convicted, Salazar faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for commercial arson, as well as 10 years in prison mandatorily consecutive for arson in furtherance of a felony.
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Robert “Bobby†Sa...?
The outcome was: Salazar is expected to make an initial court appearance on Aug. 27, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara A. McAuliffe in Fresno at 2:00 P.M. If convicted, Salazar faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for commercial arson, as well as 10 years in prison mandatorily consecutive for arson in furtherance of a felony.
Which court heard United States of America v. Robert “Bobby†Sa...?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, CA.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Robert “Bobby†Sa...?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Sacramento. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Sacramento, California Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Robert “Bobby†Sa... decided?
This case was decided on August 26, 2025.