OROVILLE >> The Chico man suspected of committing arson that burned the Bidwell Mansion pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning in Butte County Superior Court.

Kevin Alexander Carlson, 30, visited the courthouse Wednesday for his third arraignment hearing with his public defender, Larry Pilgrim, who was appointed by the court at his previous hearing Jan. 8.

After the defense entered the plea, Judge Corie J. Caraway scheduled a preliminary hearing for Carlson 8:30 a.m. March 11 with Judge Michael Deems.

The judge also scheduled a hearing for discovery 8:30 a.m. Feb. 5 upon request by Pilgrim.

Carlson was arrested Jan. 2 and formally charged Jan. 6 for arson to a structure with an enhancement of using a device designed to accelerate the fire. He is currently held at Butte County Jail without bail.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said at a press conference Jan. 6 that investigators allege they found evidence that Carlson planned the arson days before the crime, and say he purchased materials to make a Molotov cocktail — including a 5-gallon gas tank.

Investigators say they identified Carlson as the suspect after reviewing “tens of thousands” of hours of video that showed a man arriving to and leaving the mansion area in an SUV with a broken tail light and driver side brake light. These identifying characteristics were matched with footage from a license plate reader camera in April 2024.

After Carlson’s SUV was identified, investigators say they collected footage of Carlson entering stores the day before the fire happened.

Carlson’s preliminary hearing was scheduled for three hours.