#JN0705292 BENJAMIN EDWARD CUNHA M, Date Booked 20070909

Benjamin Cunha has been a volunteer firefighter for the Diamond Springs/El Dorado Fire Protection District since 2000. He has been placed on administrative leave.

Cunha also has worked as an apprentice firefighter for the EDC Fire District and, from 2001 to 2003, was a seasonal firefighter for Cal Fire, said Phyllis Banducci, division chief for Cal Fire’s Amador-El Dorado Unit.

Cunha’s family members also have logged many years in fire service.  His father, Ed Cunha, worked for the Diamond Springs/El Dorado Fire Protection District for 23 years, retiring as a captain in 1997. He now serves on the fire district’s executive board, said Marty Sanford, the fire district’s assistant chief of operations and training.  Frank Cunha, Ed Cunha’s father, retired from the fire district in 1985 after more than 20 years of service, he said

PLACERVILLE — A 24-year-old Diamond Springs volunteer firefighter pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three felony arson charges.

Benjamin Cunha, who has volunteered for area fire departments and hails from a long line of career firefighters, is alleged to have started three fires within the past three weeks, according to the criminal complaint filed in El Dorado Superior Court.

The complaint states that Cunha set fire to a structure and forestland at Sand Ridge Road on Aug. 21. It also alleges that he set fire to a structure and forestland at Big Cut Road near Excelsior Road in Hangtown on Aug. 29 and set fire to a structure and forestland at Mosquito Road in Hangtown on Sunday.

Cunha also faces a special allegation of arson with aggravating factors in regard to the three felonies. The arsons were caused by a device designed to delay ignition, the complaint states.

He was arrested Sunday afternoon following an investigation by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Amador-El Dorado Unit.

He is being held without bail in the EDC jail.

– Niesha Lofing

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Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, September 13, 2007
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B2

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