A former CAL Fire firefighter, who spent time in prison for a massive wildfire, has been charged with placing bombs along highways in two counties.
Benjamin Cunha, 41 was charged with 12 felonies after a multi-agency investigation following the discovery of the devices along roads in El Dorado and Sacramento counties, Fox 40 reported.
He pled not guilty during a court appearance Wednesday afternoon.
El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Smith said: "The defendant does have a prior arson felony conviction out of this court. The complaint (cites) numerous serious felonies that have a lengthy term of imprisonment if convicted of these charges ... up to 640 months."
Smith ruled that Cunha will be held without bail.
Officials said the found xxplosives and bomb-making materials in Cunha's truck.
In 2016, Cunha admitted to setting dozens of wildfires between 2006 and 2007 including the Mine Fire that burned 80 acres of federal land, The Mountain Democrat reported.
Cunha, who also volunteered in the Diamond Springs Fire Protection District, received a five-year sentence in 2016.
As part of the plea agreement, charges for setting other fires in the El Dorado and Amador areas were dropped.
