PHOENIX — A man wishing to be deported to Cuba sets fire to the fence outside a Phoenix immigration office.
Phoenix police report that on March 30 they responded to the federal immigration office near Central Avenue and McDowell Road for a reported arson.
Police say they found 49-year-old Arnaldo Moreno Vega standing a few feet away from the burning fence reading a Bible.
Vega allegedly told police that he came to the immigration office, jumped the fence and started two fires. He spread out clothing and trash inside the perimeter and placed a blanket and litter on the fence itself and set them both on fire.
Police say they found a lighter in Vega's pocket.
Vega allegedly called his actions, "a sign of liberty," and requested that he be deported back to Cuba.
Court records show that Vega has several previous arrests for arson, criminal damage, and trespassing.
Police say the damage is estimated to be about $2,000.
Vega has been charged with arson of an occupied structure, criminal damage, and criminal trespassing.
