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Former chief, reality TV star pleads not guilty to arson

His lawyer said he does not believe his client is guilty and that investigators changed their opinion on if the fire was arson

CBS Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — Marcel Melanson was one of this hardscrabble Southern California suburb’s heroes, a reality TV star hailed for his dedicated and sometimes dangerous work for the Compton Fire Department.

Which made it all the harder for Compton residents to accept the news this week that their former battalion chief had been charged with arson and embezzlement, accused of setting a blaze at the Fire Department’s headquarters to hide the theft of radio equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The 15-year department veteran pleaded not guilty Friday. He could be sentenced to more than 10 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Full story: Ex-Compton firefighter pleads not guilty to arson