HEBER CITY — One of the owners of the Alpine Lodge has been charged with starting the July 21 fire that caused $100,000 in damage to the motel.
Mazhar Tabesh, 39, was charged with one count of aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, Friday in 4th District Court. He faces a maximum sentence of life behind bars if convicted.
Tabesh made an appearance before Judge Donald J. Eyre Friday and was notified of the charges against him, Wasatch County Attorney Derek Pullan said.
His next court appearance is Oct. 18, Pullan said.
Tabesh is out of jail after posting the $10,000 bail the same day he was arrested, Sept. 11. He has maintained the fire, which gutted nine rooms in the hotel's north building, was a hate crime by people prejudiced against him and his family because they are Muslim and from Pakistan.