Plea Made In Tailgate Arson

Two Huron women charged with multiple counts of arson and burglary in relation to a March fire at the Tailgate Restaurant in Huron have either made plea deals or are in the process of doing so. Thirty-one year-old Julia Lopez pleaded guilty Tuesday to a second degree arson charge. A subsection of that arson charge specifically addresses starting a fire in an attempt to collect insurance money, which Lopez admitted to doing in court. Lopez’ attorney Kent Shelton told Judge Jon Erickson his client had no ownership of the restaurant and said Lopez was asked to do it by the owner. The remaining charges of a superseding indictment were dismissed in the plea agreement. They included second degree arson in the alternative, first degree intentional damage to property, reckless burning and third degree burglary. As a part of the plea deal, the prosecution has agreed to remain silent at sentencing and not make a recommendation to the judge. A two week continuance was granted for 55-year-old Kathleen Wollman. She too is charged with the same five counts as Lopez. The continuance was granted so lawyers can come to a plea agreement.