BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. - Days after authorities arrested two convicted felons on suspicion of setting a wildfire that destroyed eight Colorado homes, the suspects are being formally charged by the Boulder District Attorney.
Alabama natives Jimmy Andrew Suggs and Zackary Ryan Kuykendall appeared in court at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Suggs, who served time for a previous felony conviction, faces charges of felony fourth-degree arson, felony possession of a weapon by a previous offender, misdemeanor fourth-degree arson and misdemeanor second-degree criminal trespass.
Kuykendall, who served time for raping a 15-year-old girl in Alabama in 2012, faces charges of felony fourth-degree arson, misdemeanor fourth-degree arson and misdemeanor second-degree criminal trespass.
If convicted of the most serious charge of fourth-degree arson, both men could end up behind bars for up to 12 years with a fine of up to $500,000.
The two suspects reportedly helped police in the investigation into the wildfires, revealing they camped in three locations, set fires in two and didn't fully extinguish one fire.
That fire is believed by fire investigators to have sparked the Cold Springs Fire, which has to date burned hundreds of acres and destroyed eight homes as well as seven other outbuildings.
---------
Sign up for Denver7 email alerts to stay informed about breaking news and daily headlines.