From RecordNet. 

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, Calif., — July 17, 2025 — A man accused of arson and attempted murder against a probation officer in Stockton this month could face more than 50 years in prison, if convicted. 

Adam Lopez, 39, stood before San Joaquin Superior Judge Allan F. Jose on Monday for his first court appearance. It was at that hearing where Lopez heard the charges against him. 

He was charged with:

• Attempted murder of a peace officer including enhancements for great bodily injury and use of a deadly weapon–gasoline and a lighter;
• Attempted arson of an inhabited structure for attempting to set fire to the San Joaquin County Probation Department, and a deadly weapon enhancement for the use of gasoline and a lighter;
•  And obstructing and resisting an executive officer which pretrains to a second probation officer, Christopher Rush, who was also injured during the incident.

Court documents showed that Lopez has prior convictions. In 2005, he was convicted in Calaveras County of first-degree burglary and in 2014 he was convicted of first-degree burglary in San Joaquin County. 

“Let me be clear: attacks on our law enforcement officers and efforts to burn down government institutions will not be tolerated in San Joaquin County,” San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said in a statement. ”These acts were not random, they were targeted, deliberate and violent. My office will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law. We stand firmly with the officers who put their lives on the line and will do everything in our power to hold this individual accountable.”

The judge set no bail for Lopez, who is being represented by public defender Nimra Suhail.

…

San Joaquin County Probation Department officials said Lopez entered the probation office around 2:10 p.m. on July 10, near South San Joaquin and East Lafayette streets.

Lopez was reportedly carrying a gas can and a lighter when he entered, prompting a security guard to activate an emergency alert. The alert resulted in probation officers responding to the area. 

Officers said that when they attempted to detain Lopez, he led them to a nearby parking lot, where a struggle occurred. During the altercation, the suspect set the probation officer on fire.

Court documents identified the probation officer as James Christensen.

While officers at the scene were able to extinguish the flames, Christensen was taken to a hospital for treatment of significant but non-life-threatening burns.

However, due to the extent of his injuries to his arm and abdomen, he was transferred to UC Davis Medical Center.

Lopez, who was on post-release community supervision, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after he was detained. The suspect was on probation due to prior weapon-related charges, according to Stockton police.

Read the full article here.