Moapa Valley Progress
Thomas Blaine Bowler of Bunkerville was indicted on five counts of first degree arson and five counts of third degree arson on August 2, according to the Clark County District Attorney’s office. His trial is set for December 11, although the office noted that the date could change as the case further develops.
Bowler, 40, was arrested on July 6 after witnesses saw him ignite the fire at 500 W. Hafen Ln behind some tennis courts in Mesquite. Bowler had previously been arrested on June 17, but bailed out quickly.
In the official indictment provided by the DA’s office, Bowler is accused of igniting fires in the Bunkerville and Mesquite areas starting in February.
For each of the five counts of first degree arson Bowler could face a prison sentence of two to 15 years and possibly a fine up to $15,000 for each charge. Each incident is classified as a B Felony. Included in these first degree counts are the February 18 burning of a double-wide trailer in Bunkerville; two fires set at a single-family structure on May 16 and 17 at 128 W. Second South Street; a small shed fire located at 50 Middle Lane on June 7; a fire on June 8 that destroyed a construction site’s single-wide trailer at South Tobler and Riverside Road; and a house at 222 First South Street on June 13, which was directly next to the shed that Bowler is accused of burning on June 7.
The third degree arson charges all have one thing in common – they are either Clark County or Bureau of Land Management property. Each of those charges are classified as a D Felony and may carry a minimum sentence of one to four years in prison and a fine up to $5,000 each.
Four of the third degree arson charges relate to four separate fires that Bowler was witnessed to setting on or about June 15, while officers were following him. According to statements issued by Clark County Fire Officer Linda Poe, Bowler admitted to starting three of the four fires.
The first fire on June 15 was located near Hafen Lane and Second South Street in Mesquite. Crews from Mesquite Fire Rescue extinguished the fire, keeping damages minimal at less than a half acre. Later that day, there was another fire at 608 Riverside Rd, near White Rock Road. Several hours later, another fire was noted at Jeremiah Drive in Bunkerville. The final location for the June 15 spree is listed as 107 Park Crest Road in Bunkerville.
The final charge, which happens to be the largest fire, indicts Bowler in the burning of BLM property behind the Hafen Park Tennis Courts in Mesquite on July 6, which charred over 13 acres and took crews from multiple agencies several hours to contain and extinguish. The fire burned close to schools and homes as well as polluted the air well into the next morning after a few flare ups.
Throughout July and August, Bowler appeared before a judge in Las Vegas while being held at Clark County Detention Center with bail set at $200,000 for one case and $900,000 for another case. Bowler was able to post bail in August, which enables him to return to his home in Bunkerville as he awaits his December trial.
According to the court documents, the DA’s office has many witnesses that can testify to the activity of Bowler’s actions. Testimony is expected from several Bunkerville residents and property owners, officers with Las Vegas Metro and Mesquite Police Departments, Clark County Fire and even the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
