A registered arsonist was sentenced today to 16 years to life in state prison for trying to set a woman's car on fire outside of a Lancaster motel, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

On July 26, a jury found Edmund Crigler Pemberton (dob 6/6/60) of Lancaster guilty of two felony counts of attempt to burn property and one misdemeanor count of vandalism under $400 damage.

Deputy District Attorney Ashley Gadson-Andrews said Pemberton admitted he was convicted of arson in 2001 and then again in 2014.

According to evidence presented at the trial, on September 9, 2015, Pemberton attempted to burn the victim's vehicle because he mistakenly believed she stole his wallet. A motel security guard was able to intervene and put out the fire, the prosecutor said.

The defendant was on parole for the 2014 arson case when he attempted to burn the woman's car.

Case MA066920 was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Los Angeles County District Attorney /case MA066920 / September 8, 2016