Tahnee Willow Orr was sentenced to eight years in state prison by Lassen County Superior Court Judge Mark Nareau on July 22 for first-degree arson and a multiple-structure enhancement. Orr admitted to intentionally igniting a fire on June 10 that resulted in the destruction of the historic St. Francis Hotel and the adjacent Utopia Management Office.
Judge Nareau opted for a middle-term sentence, which included four years for the arson charge and an additional four years for the enhancement, as mandated by new felony sentencing laws. Lassen County District Attorney Melyssah Rios clarified that this sentence would have been the same even if Orr had chosen to go to trial, emphasizing that it was not a plea bargain.
Orr’s criminal history includes multiple offenses, such as driving without a license and domestic battery, with her most recent conviction in 2006 for possession of methamphetamine. At the time of the arson, she was on summary probation and had expressed intentions that suggested the fire was a retaliatory act. Witness accounts and video evidence indicated that she had made statements about “burning” and expressed concern for potential victims in the building at the time of the fire.
The arson not only destroyed a significant historical structure but also posed a substantial risk to public safety. Therefore, a prison sentence was deemed necessary to protect society from possible future actions by Orr. Restitution for the damages caused by the fire is also expected to be addressed in court.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of November 1, 2024, raised alarms due to its proximity to Halloween festivities, highlighting the potential for greater harm. Following the fire, which was reported within minutes of Orr’s departure from the building, local law enforcement quickly initiated an investigation leading to her arrest.
Source: Lassen News
