Local man pleads guilty to arson

Donations help displaced victim, four children

By TOMOYA SHIMURA
Staff Writer

VICTORVILLE • A Lucerne Valley parolee arrested for setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s home was sentenced to six years in prison at Victorville Superior Court last week.

Brian Matthew MacMillan, 28, accepted the prosecution’s offer and pleaded no contest to one felony count of arson on Oct. 13. Judge Miriam Morton sentenced him immediately. The defendant received additional years for his prior prison terms.

On Sept. 23, MacMillan went to Dewey Langford’s house in the 8000 block of Buena Vista Road in Lucerne Valley while she wasn’t there, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials. MacMillan sent her a text message threatening to burn the house down if she didn’t come to the location.

The home caught fire shortly thereafter, leaving the home uninhabitable, officials said.

Langford and her four children have been living in a motel since the fire. Since the incident hit the local news, people have donated a refrigerator, a microwave, a bed, toys and bicycles to the family, said Pam Hardwick, Langford’s mother. They’ve lived in Lucerne Valley for the past 32 years.

“They’re hanging in there,” Hardwick said. “What can they do? They’re pretty positive because we said we’re gonna get through this.”

Hardwick said anyone interested in donating household items to the family can drop them off at the Cadillac Ranch or Kristy’s Place, both of which are located on Highway 18 in Apple Valley, or call Hardwick at (760) 684-3382.

According to court records, MacMillan had gone to prison for burglary and attempted possession of marijuana for sale. He was also sentenced to two years and eight months in prison in 2006 for being a felon with a firearm.

Leader editor Kris Reilly contributed to this report. Tomoya Shimura is a Daily Press writer. He may be reached at (760) 955-5368 or TShimura@VVDailyPress.com. Follow Tomoya on Facebook at facebook.com/ShimuraTomoya.