The master tenant of the Oakland warehouse space Ghost Ship recently pleaded guilty to 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter over the tragic 2016 fire that resulted in the deaths of 36 people. On Monday, Derick Almena received a 12-year sentence but is not expected to spend more time in prison, The Associated Press reports.
Almena is currently under house arrest he was released from jail last year due to coronavirus concerns. Since he received credit for time spent behind bars while awaiting trial and good behavior, he’s expected to spend one-and-a-half years at home in an ankle bracelet followed by three years of probation.
Derick Almena, the former master tenant of San Francisco Bay Area warehouse and event space Ghost Ship, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to 36 charges of involuntary manslaughter. Almena, 50, pleaded guilty in January following a devastating fire during an event at Ghost Ship in December 2016 that killed 36 people.
On Monday, 8th March, Almena was sentenced to 12 years in prison, but he is unlikely to spend any more time in jail. He was removed from jail last year due to coronavirus concerns, and has been under house arrest since. Because he received credit for good behaviour and time already served, it is likely that Almena will only serve another 18 months. These will be served at home while wearing an electronic ankle monitor, and will be followed by three years probation.
Derick Almena sentenced for deadly Ghost Ship fire, but avoids prison
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Derick Almena to serve remainder of sentence at home
An Alameda County Superior Court judge has accepted a plea deal from Ghost Ship master tenant Derick Almena for his role in the deadly warehouse fire.
OAKLAND, Calif. - The master tenant of the cluttered, dilapidated Oakland Ghost Ship warehouse where 36 people died in a fire was sentenced on Monday, but because of good behavior and time served, the 50-year-old artist will spend no more time in custody.
Derick Almena was sentenced to 12 years, but will serve out his sentence at home with an ankle monitor rather than behind bars. He was also ordered to pay restitutions of $181,000 for funeral expenses and counseling of victims.
OAKLAND
Derick Almena, the master tenant of a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse that caught fire during a music event, killing 36 people, was sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison, although he is unlikely to spend more time in jail.
Already on house arrest after being released from jail last year because of coronavirus concerns, Almena was ordered to serve the rest of his term under electronic monitoring, followed by three years of probation.
“I know that no family member will find this in any way acceptable, and I accept that responsibility,” Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson said at the conclusion of an emotionally charged case that was first derailed by a hung jury, then the pandemic.