A magistrate has ordered a Tucson man to pay a fine and $180,000 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for his role in the April 23 Molino II fire.
Michael J. Sobcynski, 64, pleaded guilty to use of illegal incendiary ammunition and was sentenced last week by U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Ambri, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Arizona said in a news release Thursday.
On April 30, 2023, Sobcynski was target shooting in the Molino Basin target shooting area of the Catalina Mountains in Coronado National Forest, the release said.
"His shotgun was loaded with incendiary rounds, which ignited multiple small fires and and ultimately caused a wildfire" that burned about 115 acres and caused officials to temporarily shut down the Catalina Highway.
Fire suppression costs exceeded $200,000, the prosecuting office said in the news release.
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