Kevin Alexander Carlson, 30, of Chico, is set to enter a no contest plea in Butte County Superior Court to a felony charge of arson of a structure with the use of an accelerant, as announced by Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey. Carlson is accused of igniting the fire that destroyed the historic Bidwell Mansion in Chico on December 11, 2024.
By pleading no contest, Carlson accepts the charge without admitting guilt, with the plea having the same legal effect as a guilty plea, according to Ramsey. This decision removes the need for a preliminary hearing, which was originally scheduled for March 11, 2025.
After today’s proceedings, a sentencing hearing will be planned for a later date, where Carlson could potentially face a sentence of up to 11 years in state prison.
