Los Angeles
A man was charged with setting a fire that caused catastrophic damage to the San Gabriel Mission last summer, according to state authorities.
“The loss to the mission was in the millions of dollars but the loss to the community is immeasurable,” District Attorney George Gascón said.
John David Corey aka Joker, faces two felony counts of arson of an inhabited structure and one count each of arson during a state of emergency, first-degree residential burglary and possession of flammable material.
On July 11, 2020, Corey, 57, is charged with breaking into the historic mission and starting the fire which spread to the roof and along the length of the church.
The case remains under investigation by the San Gabriel Fire Department, officials stated.