Lopez Sentenced To 60 Days In Jail For Role In Tailgate Arson

The second woman charged in relation to an arson fire at the Tailgate Restaurant in Huron has been sentenced for her role in the crime. Julia Lopez was sentenced last week to two years of prison time, however that time was suspended by Judge Jon Erickson. Lopez will be on five years of probation and is currently serving a 60-day sentence in the Beadle County Jail. Lopez has also been ordered to conduct 120 hours of community service and must repay 145-thousand dollars, join and several with co-defendant Kathleen Wollman. Wollman was sentenced in September to 30 days in jail with 30 days suspended. Wollman told Judge Jon Erickson she didn’t see co-defendant Julia Lopez start the fire, but did see the flames and admitted to not calling to report the fire. During a change of plea hearing in August, Lopez pleaded guilty to second degree arson under a subsection of the charge that specifically addresses starting a fire in an attempt to collect insurance money. Lopez’s attorney during that hearing said Lopez was asked to start the fire by the owner. Investigators determined the March 27^th fire was started to cover up evidence of a burglary.