Headshot of Aaron Pamma, current Live Oak vice-mayor. Photo courtesy of the City of Live Oak

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - A Live Oak City Councilmember is facing multiple felony charges following his arrest on June 19 in connection to an alleged arson and insurance fraud scheme in Butte County.

Aaron Pamma, 30, who currently serves as the Live Oak vice-mayor, was taken into custody on June 19 along with two associates: Gurtej Singh, 28, of Yuba City and Simren Pamma, 28, a Live Oak Unified School District board member. The arrests stem from a months-long investigation into a suspicious fire that destroyed a rural Butte County home in February 2024.

According to a press release from the Butte County District Attorney’s Office and reporting by KCRA and ABC10, Singh originally purchased the property in April 2023. He later transferred partial ownership to brothers Aaron and Simren Pamma, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Investigators allege that Singh applied for homeowner’s insurance in late 2023 under false pretenses and that all three conspired to profit from a planned fire.

On Feb. 17, 2024, the residence caught fire and, according to investigators, the blaze’s cause was later determined to be intentional. Authorities with Cal Fire and the Butte County DA’s Office allege that the defendants continued to submit false information to the insurance provider following the fire and ultimately received a payout. The property was later sold at a profit, bringing the total alleged financial gain to more than $200,000.

Charges against Aaron Pamma include arson, conspiracy to commit arson for insurance fraud, perjury and multiple counts related to the submission of a fraudulent insurance claim. Gurtej Singh and Simren Pamma face similar charges. In addition, a fourth suspect, Javier Molina-Bravo, identified as the owner of Big Dog Handyman, has been accused of writing fraudulent checks for renovation materials purchased for the property. Molina-Bravo is currently wanted on additional fraud charges and remains at large.

The Butte County District Attorney’s Office issued $1-million warrants for each of the three main defendants. In a statement to KCRA, a representative for Pamma said he intends to “fully and vigorously defend these charges in court” and maintains his innocence.

The Live Oak City Council has acknowledged the arrest but has not released further comment pending legal proceedings. As of now, Pamma has not resigned his council seat.

The defendants are scheduled to return to Butte County Superior Court at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 13 for arraignment and to enter their pleas. No additional updates regarding pretrial motions or plea deals have been disclosed, as of press time.

This case remains under investigation. Proceedings are expected to continue in Butte County Superior Court in the coming weeks.