SAN DIEGO — The former owner of Rollin Roots was sentenced to more than five years in prison for starting the fire that burned down his popular vegan food truck.
A jury found Avonte Hartsfield, 27, guilty of arson, grand theft and insurance fraud. Prosecutors said Hartsfield defrauded insurance companies and San Diegans out of more than $300,000 after he claimed the fire that destroyed his food truck was a hate crime attack.
Donations poured in supporting Hartsfield on GoFundMe, including a $20,000 donation from the Sycuan Band of The Kumeyaay Nation.
Hartsfield represented himself in court and throughout the sentencing Wednesday, Hartsfield maintained his innocence and said that he will appeal.
Hartsfield said in court, "The evidence in this case, I do not believe overwhelmingly show that I was even involved in the incident. The location and my time, the people tried to hide, where I was not at the scene. Throughout the trial, the prosecution was unable to prove how the fire started, 2 years later."
Hartsfield said he was at home at the time of the fire and that statements to police putting him at the scene were false confessions.
Deputy District Attorney Judy Taschner said Hartsfield lied to police, insurance companies and San Diegans when he raised more than $100,000 in donations because he was found guilty by a jury of his peers.
"The jury has spoken that he was guilty on all 4 charges of arson and 2 counts of insurance fraud and grand theft from GoFundMe. The judge has sentenced him today to state prison for those actions. The defendant preyed on the San Diego community, on the trust and on the good natured spirit, on that our hearts that we have, that GoFundMe has," Taschner said.
When asked why Hartsfield continues to maintain his innocence, Taschner replied, “It shows no remorse. It shows that he's still blaming other people. He's not taking any responsibility for any of his actions in this case."
A restitution hearing is scheduled for April 22 at 1:30 p.m. The court will decide how much Hartsfield has to pay in fines and legal fees, including the Sycuan and GoFundMe donations.
In response to Hartsfield's claims in court that he will appeal, Taschner said, "He's had a chance to be heard, he's had a chance to argue and everyone has the right to appeal."
A representative from GoFundMe testified during this trial and is seeking $25,000 in restitution. That doesn't include the donation from Sycuan.
GoFundMe said in a statement to CBS 8,
"GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing. The fundraiser was removed and the account has been banned from using the platform for any future fundraisers.
While the overwhelming majority of people use our platform everyday to help others, we are aware that bad actors exist and we take any misuse very seriously, taking swift action against those who exploit the generosity of our community."
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