Man convicted of arson, auto insurance fraud

A local jury on Monday convicted a man of arson and automobile insurance fraud, the Kern County District Attorney's Office reported.

It said Daniel Montes, who had two prior strike convictions, was on probation when he drove a Jeep Gladiator from the Hard Rock Casino Tejon to a rural area outside of McFarland where he removed the rims and set the vehicle alight.

Investigation found Montes videotaped the Jeep being set on fire and showed he had conversations with people about a plan to take the Jeep.

The DA's Office reported he had been hired to take the car and burn it so the owner could make an insurance claim because he could not afford to keep up with payments.

Montes faces up to 25 years to life plus 11 years and four months in prison at a sentencing scheduled for Oct. 1.