2 Accused of Illegal Removal of 301 Oaks
Two men were charged Tuesday with seven misdemeanor counts for allegedly plowing down 301 oak trees on a ranch outside Ojai and altering a stream bed without proper permits.
If convicted, William N. Kaddis, 58, of Los Angeles and Aviram Max Soltes, 21, of La Crescenta face up to 3 1/2 years in prison and fines totaling $97,300 each, according to prosecutors.
Authorities believe Kaddis hired Soltes to remove the trees last fall on Kaddis’ 43-acre hillside property near Lake Casitas. Kaddis has denied any wrongdoing. Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 25.
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