Ex-Executive to Be Free on Bail in Arson Case
Victor Soto, a former executive of Tailored Baby Inc. in San Fernando who faces arson charges in connection with a fire at the company last December, posted $150,000 bail Thursday and was to be released.
Soto, 35, has been accused of setting fire to Tailored Baby’s plant in the 500 block of Library Street in an attempt to collect insurance money to avert bankruptcy for the financially troubled firm.
Soto was arrested April 25 and charged with arson, grand theft and insurance fraud. If convicted, he faces up to 14 years in prison.
The former Tailored Baby vice president has also admitted to shooting and killing Aaron Thomas, the company’s founder and president, during a dispute at the company’s offices Feb. 19. There were no witnesses to the shooting, but Soto told police that he pulled his gun from his desk and fired it several times in self-defense after Thomas hit him on the head with a hammer.
No charges have been filed in connection with the shooting, and the incident is still under investigation by the Los Angeles district attorney’s office.
In setting bail Thursday at $150,000, Municipal Judge Elva R. Soper also ordered Soto to stay at least 1,000 feet away from Tailored Baby or any of its employees.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
