Former firefighter, a convicted arsonist, pleads not guilty to planting explosives

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A former firefighter who has already served two prison sentences for wildland fire arson, was arraigned in El Dorado County Superior Couty on 12 felony charges related to the detonation of improvised explosive devices.

Benjamin Cunha, 41, was arrested on January 12 after a joint operation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Highway Patrol, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office after the explosive devices were found on roads and highways in multiple locations in El Dorado County and Sacramento County.

Cunha's charges encompass the unlawful possession, detonation, or ignition of destructive devices, with alleged intent to cause injury, intimidation, or terror, as well as property destruction. He is on a no-bail hold in the El Dorado County Jail.

He pleaded not guilty last week to all charges.

Cunha's next court date is scheduled for March 4 at 8:30 a.m. in Placerville.

On December 30, US50 over Echo Summit was closed after a suspicious package was found near the electronic sign at the chain control area in Twin Bridges. Investigators used extra caution at the time due to the other devices found in the county. It turned out to be a backpack, and no explosive device was found. The highway was closed for a few hours during the incident.