Catalina Fire arsonist excused from registering as convicted felon

Hunt, however, was told the $4 million price tag could grow to more than $5 million because one victim of the fire, Southern California Edison, had not calculated its loss in time for his original sentencing.

Defense attorney Michael Zimbert told the court Thursday that SCE did finally send him their claim, but he did not receive the information until late Wednesday.

Judge Judith Meyer agreed that was too short notice for Zimbert and Hunt to be able to argue the matter and rescheduled the restitution hearing for 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 6 in Dept. 3 of the Long Beach Superior Court.

Meyer also told Hunt he does not have to register as a convicted arsonist in light of his home state of Indiana having no such criminal database.

If, however, Hunt moves to California or comes to the state for an extended period to work the judge can require him to register at the court's discretion, Meyer said.

Hunt pleaded no contest earlier this year to a felony arson charge for setting off a brush fire on Catalina Island in 2007 that caused an estimated $20 million in damage to several structures, including the Wilson home, and 4,000 acres of land.

Hunt had faced multiple counts that carried a much longer sentence than the single count Hunt pleaded to back in February.

He was working as a subcontractor on the island on May 10, 2007, when the fire erupted.

He used an open-flame torch - despite clearly posted warnings of extreme fire danger and that open flames were not permitted - to cut cables on the island's radio tower, authorities said.

On the first day of work, sparks from the torch fell onto nearby brush and caused several small spot fires that Hunt put out.

Hunt returned the following day and under the same hot, dry and windy conditions, used the torch again, this time starting a blaze that rapidly spread out of control.

The brush fire required the response of firefighters from Los Angeles County and beyond. Several firefighters were injured while working in the rugged terrain of the island.

Hunt reported the fire to authorities, admitted he sparked the blaze from the start and remains extremely remorseful, his attorney said August.

In exchange for the plea, Hunt was sentenced to 90 days in jail, to be served in the L.A. County Men's Central Jail or in a similar facility in his home state of Indiana, and five years of formal probation.

Hunt can opt to serve the jail time on a CalTrans work crew in California, or through a similar program in Indiana if it exists, or could choose to serve more than 100 hours of community service, provided it meets with court approval.

The court ordered Hunt pay $85,000 in restitution to the Wilson family and $2,886,536.82 to the Santa Catalina Island Co. and $1,152,377 to the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, entities that monitor the island's economic and residential and ecological interests, respectively.

For every year restitution is not paid, 10 percent interest will be tacked on.

In addition to restitution, Hunt was ordered to pay more than $2,000 in victim's fund and court fines and had to submit DNA and fingerprint samples.