Almena may get reduced sentence in Ghost Ship fire plea deal; families angry

The families of the victims of the deadly Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland are upset and despondent after learning of a proposed plea deal with the warehouse’s master tenant for his alleged role in the blaze, an attorney for many of the families said.

Master tenant Derick Almena is expected to be in court Jan. 22 when a judge will hear Almena’s plea, said attorney Mary Alexander, who represents 13 families of the victims. Four to six weeks later, Almena is expected to be sentenced to nine years in jail. No date has been set for the sentencing.