Executive Summary
- Flavio Alvarez, 26, was convicted by a jury of arson for a March 2025 fire at an abandoned car wash in Patterson, CA.
- Fire investigators identified a mattress as the point of origin; prosecutors stated Alvarez admitted to starting the fire due to an “urge.”
- The defendant faces additional allegations of violating probation for failing to register as a sex offender and having a prior serious felony conviction.
- Alvarez faces up to 17 years in state prison if the sentencing enhancements are upheld in a separate court trial.
PATTERSON, CA – A Stanislaus County jury has convicted Flavio Alvarez, 26, of arson in connection with a structure fire that destroyed an abandoned car wash in March 2025. Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced the verdict following the conclusion of the trial, where evidence presented by prosecutors linked Alvarez directly to the blaze.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the incident occurred on March 11, 2025. Firefighters responded to a report of a fire at an abandoned car wash in Patterson, finding the structure fully engulfed in flames upon arrival. Following the suppression of the fire, Fire Investigator Trista Bowen of the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit conducted an examination of the scene. Bowen determined that the fire was intentionally set, ruling out accidental causes, and identified a mattress within the debris as the specific point of origin.
Court documents indicate that the investigation quickly focused on Alvarez. Shortly after the fire was reported, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Deputy Peter Bizzini made contact with Alvarez near the scene. Prosecutors stated that at the time of this contact, Alvarez was found in possession of two matchbooks with multiple matches missing. During subsequent questioning, the District Attorney’s Office reported that Alvarez admitted to igniting the mattress and told deputies he had an “urge to start the fire.” Investigators testified that the detail regarding the mattress was information known only to the perpetrator at that stage of the inquiry.
Deputy District Attorney Matt Begoun, who prosecuted the case, presented evidence that Alvarez is currently facing additional legal challenges. The District Attorney’s Office alleges that at the time of the arson, Alvarez was on probation for failing to register as a sex offender. Furthermore, prosecutors have alleged that the defendant has a prior conviction for a serious and violent felony and has previously served time in prison. These allegations are pending a separate court trial to determine factors in aggravation.
If the enhancement allegations are found to be true during the subsequent phase of the trial, Alvarez could face a maximum sentence of 17 years in state prison. It is important to note that while the defendant has been convicted of arson, the allegations regarding sentencing enhancements and prior criminal history remain subject to judicial determination, and the presumption of innocence applies to these pending factors until proven in court.
Sentencing Phase Implications
The conclusion of the guilt phase in this trial marks a shift toward complex sentencing procedures. The bifurcation of the trial allows the court to separately adjudicate the primary charge of arson and the alleged sentencing enhancements. In California, the verification of prior “strike” offenses and probation violations can significantly escalate sentencing guidelines. The upcoming proceedings will focus strictly on the validity of the defendant’s prior record, which will determine whether the statutory maximum of 17 years is applicable under the state’s recidivism laws.
