Reno man convicted of arsons linked to pattern of domestic violence, police say

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A jury has found a 44-year-old Reno man guilty of five counts of arson for starting a pair of destructive fires that police said were linked to a pattern of domestic violence.

Matthew Kimmens was convicted earlier this year of domestic battery, the Reno Gazette Journal reported.

A Washoe County District Court jury convicted him Friday after a five-day trial on the arson charges stemming from the fires he started on Aug. 14, 2022, the newspaper reported. The flames destroyed one home and damaged three nearby.

The fires were near the home of the woman’s father. Authorities estimated the blazes caused $1.7 million in damage. Two helicopters, four airplanes and more than 15 fire engines responded to the growing blaze before the flames were doused.

Police said evidence linked the arson attacks to a pattern of domestic violence. The woman, who had been in a relationship with Kimmens for 2.5 years, told investigators they had a fight on the day of the fires and she left to stay at a hotel.

She said that Kimmens believed she was staying at her father’s home and told her on the telephone that day, “I hope they have lots of marshmallows.”

About 20 minutes later, a fire started. A jogger spotted a man matching Kimmens’ description throwing gasoline-colored liquid on sagebrush next to the road before a second blaze began.

Further investigation also unveiled in Reno police reports that Kimmens “has propensity for damaging property and being violent when it comes to his relationship,” the newspaper reported.

“The recklessness and utter disregard for public safety exhibited by Kimmens was frightening,” Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks said in a statement Monday. “If not for the extraordinary suppression efforts by firefighters, this tragedy could have been far worse.”

He was arrested last November after the woman reported he hit and strangled her.

His sentencing is set for Dec. 18.