Barney Lerten
(Update: Arson suspect makes first court appearance)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Deschutes County judge on Friday set bail at $1 million for a Redmond-area woman facing arson and other charges, accused of setting her RV on fire, which spread to two neighbors’ trailers and killed a dog. A prosecutor noted she has two previous arson convictions.
The initial formal charges filed Friday against Jodie Lynn Wakeman included two counts of first-degree arson, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree animal abuse and recklessly endangering another person.
“I think I’m looking at about 20 years or so,” Wakeman, 46, told Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alycia Sykora by video from the county jail.
When the judge reminded her of her right to remain silent, Wakeman replied, “Oh, that’s right.”
The judge set the high bail after the prosecutor in the case said Wakeman was previously twice convicted of arson in Deschutes County.
Deschutes County court records show that in 2013, Wakeman, a then-Bend resident named Jodie Ackerman, was convicted of first-degree arson, criminal mischief and recklessly endangering, and was sentenced to three years in prison. She also was convicted of first-degree arson in 2009 and has a criminal history dating back to 1998.
Deputy District Attorney Andrew Doyle told KTVZ News one of the reasons Judge Sykora set the bail at $1 million is due to the “primary release conditions” under ORS 135.230.
Those criteria include the “reasonable protection of the public,” he said, “and given the fact this is her third alleged Arson I, and that it’s fire season, with multiple active fires burning in the area, her actions could have destroyed an entire city if a fire took off and became out of control.”
The judge set another arraignment hearing for Monday, as Wakeman had not filled out the required form for a court-appointed attorney.
If Wakeman were to post 10% bail and be released, Sykora ordered that she have no contact with Green Acres RV Park or several individuals affected by the fire. The prosecutor also asked that she not be allowed to possess matches, lighters or other items that can start fires.
But when the proposed no-contact list included Wakeman’s husband, she interrupted, as did her husband, who was in the courtroom. The judge admonished him, warning he would be removed from the courtroom if he interrupted the proceedings again.
The fire was reported around 11:35 a.m. Thursday at the Green Acres RV Park in the 7000 block of South Highway 97. While Redmond Fire & Rescue crews were responding to the scene, several people called 911 to report the large column of black smoke coming from the location, Fire Marshal Tom Mooney said.
Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies were first on the scene and said one RV was engulfed, with the fire spreading to other trailers and flames threatening nearby propane tanks. That prompted a call-out of more fire crews.
Firefighters arrived to find two RVs ablaze and the fire moving toward a 120-gallon propane tank. Crews worked quickly to knock down the fire and keep it from spreading to other nearby trailers, surrounding vegetation and the propane tank.
Mooney also said the area is not protected with fire hydrants, so two water tenders brought 6,000 gallons of water to the scene to assist in firefighting efforts.
A joint investigation was conducted between the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Redmond Fire & Rescue to determine the origin and cause of the fire. After conducting witness interviews and evaluating material evidence on the scene, they determined that the fire was intentionally set.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Green Acres resident Wakeman, who Mooney confirmed is accused of setting her RV ablaze. Hers was one of the two RVs destroyed by the fire, the official said, while a third was severely damaged.
County Jail records showed Wakeman, 46, was being held without bail late Thursday pending arraignment on initial charges of first-degree arson, second-degree criminal mischief, second-degree disorderly conduct, first-degree animal abuse and recklessly endangering.
Kim Paris lived in a trailer that was burned to the studs. She told KTVZ News she lost her 3-year-old Chihuahua, an emotional support animal.
Paris said she was working at her job at Bi-Mart when her daughter told her the devastating news. She says she’ll have to “couch surf” with friends and family until she can find a new place to live
Mooney added, “Redmond Fire & Rescue would like to thank Bend Fire & Rescue, Cloverdale RFPD, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.”
Highway 97 remained open during firefighting efforts, but ODOT’s TripCheck advised drivers to exercise caution.
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During the Council meeting, Ibershof claimed the Police Department was “lacking a strong leader” and said the City’s Human Resources Director was concerned that Plummer was “not holding his folks accountable,” resulting in dropped criminal charges.
