A man convicted of setting fire to the bedding of an elderly woman sleeping outdoors in downtown Lodi was sentenced Monday to seven years to life in state prison, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release.
Louie Martinez was sentenced Monday by Judge Barrera after a jury convicted him of first-degree attempted murder and arson of property. He also received a consecutive eight-month sentence for the arson conviction, prosecutors said.
The case stemmed from a February 2025 attack in downtown Lodi involving an elderly woman who was experiencing homelessness, according to prosecutors. The woman was sleeping on the ground near an intersection when Martinez approached and set her bedding on fire with a flammable object.
The woman woke up as flames spread to her hand and surrounded her belongings. Firefighters responded and extinguished the fire, preventing more serious injuries, prosecutors said. The woman was injured but later recovered and testified during Martinez’s trial.
Lodi police investigators identified Martinez through surveillance footage from the area, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said the video showed Martinez holding a flammable object, setting the fire and kicking the flames toward the woman, causing her belongings to ignite.
Officers found Martinez nearby shortly after the incident and located two lighters and a canister of butane in his possession, prosecutors said. His shoes had burn marks and partial melting, which he claimed came from smoking cigarettes, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Martinez, who was seated in a wheelchair at the time of the offense, admitted he knew someone was present where he started the fire.
“Justice does not erase the trauma suffered by the victim, but today’s sentence provides accountability and protects the public from a dangerous offender,” District Attorney Ron Freitas said in a statement. “We are grateful for the victim’s strength, the jury’s careful consideration of the evidence, and the dedication of everyone involved in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”
The District Attorney’s Office credited Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Kistler with prosecuting the case and thanked the Lodi Police Department for its investigation. Prosecutors also thanked firefighters whose response helped prevent the fire from becoming deadly.