Fire Investigator Pleads Innocent to Arson Charges

Glendale arson investigator John L. Orr pleaded innocent Monday to eight counts of arson and attempted arson at area retail stores. Orr, who was indicted last week by a federal grand jury, entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

After Orr’s arraignment, Judge Edward Rafeedie set a March 17 trial date. Orr, 42, of Eagle Rock, is charged with setting fires at five stores and trying to set them at three others during the past three years in the Los Angeles area and in Atascadero.

Orr was released from a federal jail on $50,000 bail but remains under electronically monitored house arrest. Rafeedie ruled that Orr can leave his house only to accompany his attorneys to court or to help them prepare his defense.