NoHo Arson Suspect Ordered to Stand Trial

North Hollywood - A former Marine was ordered today to stand trial for allegedly setting a string of fires in North Hollywood last summer.

Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Karen Nudell found sufficient evidence after a preliminary hearing to hold Kurt Billie, 34, to answer on 20 felony counts of arson and one felony count of aggravated arson, according to Deputy District Attorney Sean Carney.

The charges involve a series of vehicle and structure fires that were set between July 21 and Aug. 2 between Lankershim and Laurel Canyon boulevards and Vanowen Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

Billie -- who was being followed by investigators -- was arrested Aug. 2 near Lankershim Boulevard and Valerio Street, shortly after a fire broke out at about 4 a.m. in the 7500 block of Troost Avenue.

Prosecutors allege that Billie has two prior arson convictions for setting two structures on fire at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, while he was stationed there with the Marine Corps.

"The people had earlier alleged also that Mr. Billie had suffered a prior conviction for arson from the Japanese authorities for 1/8off-base 3/8 fires set in Okinawa. That allegation wasn't dealt with at the preliminary hearing, but we did prove up the two arson priors from the Marine Corps," Carney told reporters after the hearing.

Billie is due back in court for arraignment Feb. 7.