Jose Javier Avalos, 17, died in the arson fire
THE MONSTER: Noe Antonio Nolasco Amaya entered Alford pleas of guilty to two counts of felony murder and one count of arson
A man charged in connection with a Manassas-area house fire that killed a 36-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy in 2016 was convicted Monday in Prince William Circuit Court of felony murder and arson charges.
Noe Antonio Nolasco Amaya entered Alford pleas of guilty to two counts of felony murder and one count of arson for the July 31, 2016, fire on the 10300 block of Lomond Drive, in the Manassas area of Prince William County, that killed Willian Alexander Molina-Rivas, 36, and Jose Javier Avalos, 17.
In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him if the case were to go to trial.
The felony murder charges allege that Nolasco Amaya accidentally killed the victims while committing another crime. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped two charges of first-degree murder.
Just before 12:30 a.m. on July 31, 2016, police responded to reports of a fire at a house on the 10300 block of Lomond Drive, Prince William County police said at the time.
In court Monday, Sept. 24, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Claiborne Richardson said the first officer who arrived on scene tried to extinguish the flames at the house, but couldn’t. Firefighters then arrived and were eventually able to force their way into the home, he said.
“The firefighters were able to gain access by kicking in the door. The door was locked,” Richardson said.
Once in the home, firefighters found Avalos’s body lying facedown in the house by the door, Richardson said.
Firefighters then found the second body, Molina-Rivas, and pulled both from the home. Both men died of their injuries. The medical examiner’s report said the cause of their deaths was “thermal and inhalation injuries” from the fire, Richardson said.
A short time later, around 1:45 a.m., police found Nolasco Amaya walking in the area of Manassas Mall, police said at the time. He had burns below his knees and on the front of his legs and the top of his feet, Richardson said. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Police and rescue workers responding to the house at the time of the fire reported “smelling gasoline throughout the foyer area of the home,” Richardson said. Investigators found gasoline throughout the house and on the clothes Avalos and Molina-Rivas had been wearing, Richardson said. No gasoline was found on Nolasco Amaya’s clothes. Investigators determined that the fire had been set, Richardson said.
Sylvia Flores, the mother of the 17-year-old victim, told investigators “there had been some problems” between Avalos and Molina-Rivas and Nolasco Amaya, who all lived in the home.
Just before the night of the fire, Flores argued with Nolasco Amaya and “told him to leave the house,” Richardson said.
Flores and her husband were not home at the time of the fire, Richardson said, and “a couple of people” who lived in the basement were able to escape the fire safely, he said.
Richardson said Nolasco Amaya made several conflicting statements to police, first saying he didn’t know what happened the night of the fire, then saying someone else came into the house and threw gasoline on him and later saying he might have run into the room to try to help after the fire broke out, Richardson said.
Family members of the victims filled one row of the courtroom at Monday’s hearing.
“They have suffered a great loss,” Richardson said of the family. “Not only the loss of a beloved family member and friend [but also] the damage that was done to their home.”
Prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 15 years in prison, with five years suspended, for each charge. The recommended sentence would give Nolasco Amaya a total of 15 years to serve in prison. A judge will sentence Nolasco Amaya on Feb. 7. The judge is not required to follow the prosecutors’ recommendation.
At the end of the hearing, Judge Steven Smith addressed the victims’ family members, thanking them for coming and expressing his sympathy.
“My heart goes out to you,” he said.
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Lomond Drive Arson Investigation and Arrest
For Release
August 18, 2016
On August 3rd, investigators from the Prince William County Fire Marshal's Office obtained a warrant for the suspect involved in setting a house on fire resulting in the deaths of two occupants and four dogs. The accused, identified as Noe Antonio NOLASCO AMAYA, was arrested and transferred to the Prince William/Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center on August 11th. The incident is still under a combined investigation by the Fire Marshal's Office and the Prince William County Police Homicide Unit with the assistance of the B.A.T.F. Arson and Explosives Unit.
Arrested on August 11th:
Noe Antonio NOLASCO AMAYA, 35 years old, of 10300 Lomond Drive, Manassas, Virginia
Charged with Arson to an Occupied Dwelling
Preliminary Hearing date: September 15th, 2016 | Bond: No Bond Status
Double Homicide Investigation *SECOND VICTIM IDENTIFIED [Previously Released] - On August 3, detectives from the Homicide Unit received confirmation regarding the identity of the second victim involved in the fatal house fire which occurred at a residence located in the 10300 block of Lomond Dr. in Manassas on July 31. The third man who was located nearby suffering from burn injuries is still hospitalized and is expected to survive. The investigation into this incident and the deaths is continuing.
Identified:
The second victim has been identified as Willian Alexander MOLINA-RIVAS, 36, of Manassas.
Double Homicide Investigation [Previously Released] – Based upon further investigation into the July 31 deaths of two men from a house fire on Lomond Dr. in Manassas, detectives from the Homicide Unit and investigators from the Fire Marshals' Office are investigating this incident as an arson-related double homicide. One of the victims has been positively identified as a 17-year-old male juvenile of Manassas. Due to extensive injuries, the identity of the second deceased male victim is pending confirmation through the Medical Examiner's Office. The third man located by officers near Manassas Mall has been identified as a 35-year-old man of Manassas and is still hospitalized. No arrests have been made at this point in connection to this incident. The deaths related to this investigation are Prince William County's 14th and 15th homicide for 2016. The investigation continues.
Identified:
One of the victims has been identified as Jose Javier AVALOS, 17, of Manassas
Death Investigation [Previously Released] – On July 31 at 12:24 a.m., officers responded to a residence located in the 10300 block of Lomond Dr. in Manassas (20109) to assist the Department of Fire and Rescue with a house fire. During their checks of the residence, fire crews located two men inside the home. One of the men was pronounced dead at the scene while the other was flown to an area hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries. Four dogs were also located deceased inside the residence and were turned over to Animal Control. A short time later, around 1:45 a.m., police received a call about a third man walking in the area of Manassas Mall appearing to be injured. Officers arrived and located the man suffering from extensive burns to his body. This man was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries. The remains of the two deceased men will be transported to the Medical Examiner's Office for further analysis and identification. The identity of the deceased men will be released once confirmed and their next of kin has been notified. This incident is being jointly investigated by the Prince William County Police Homicide Unit and the Department of Fire and Rescue's Fire Marshals' Office. More information will be released when available. The investigation continues.
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Two men, four dogs dead after house fire in Virginia
By Mary Hui July 31, 2016
Two men are dead after a house fire in Manassas in the early hours of Sunday, Prince William County police said, and the incident is being investigated by homicide detectives as well as the fire department.
Authorities responded to a house in the 10300 block of Lomond Drive at 12:24 a.m., officials said.
Fire crews found two men inside the home. One was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other was flown to a hospital, where he died of his injuries, officials said.
It is unknown whether the men’s injuries were from the fire or from other trauma.
Four dogs were also found dead inside the house. Their bodies were handed over to animal control, police said.
About 1:45 a.m., police responded to another call about an apparently injured man walking near Manassas Mall, about a mile from the house.
After finding the man, officers saw he had extensive burns on his body.
The man was receiving treatment at a hospital, police said, and detectives are trying to determine whether his injuries are connected to the house fire and the men who were killed.
“It is a little suspicious right now,” said Jonathan Perok, a Prince William County police spokesman.
Perok said he had no further details because the investigation is ongoing.
The identities of the deceased men had not been released by Sunday afternoon.
The fire is being investigated by the Prince William County police homicide unit and the fire marshal’s office, authorities said.