Cody man facing arson, burglary charges in connection with Christmas Day incident in Lovell

A 19-year-old Cody man has been charged with illegally entering his ex-girlfriend’s home, stealing her opened Christmas presents and exposing her and her family to a potential propane explosion following their breakup last Christmas.

Zachary George Magargal was arraigned Tuesday in the Fifth Judicial District Court of Big Horn County. Facing felony counts of attempted arson in the first degree and burglary as well as misdemeanor criminal entry, he entered not guilty pleas to all three.

The charges stem from a Dec. 25, 2024, incident at a home in Lovell that the victim, Magargal’s ex-girlfriend, shares with her mother, stepfather and younger brother.

According to court documents, the victim told police she swung by the house around 2 a.m. to get clothes for work in Cody and that she suspected Magargal of entering the home later that morning because when she returned around 9 p.m., she found her bedroom to be “a total mess” with clothing strung everywhere.  

When interviewed by Lovell police, the victim’s mother reported hearing a dinging sound coming from her daughter’s room on the morning of Dec. 25. When she opened the door to investigate, she detected the smell of propane and saw a camping-style propane bottle with a torch tip on it.  The bottle was upright on a dresser with its valve open, blowing propane into the bedroom. 

Both the victim and her mother also noticed some missing Christmas presents, including a Lego set and some chocolates, that Magargal had given to the victim.

The most serious of the charges, attempted arson in the first degree, carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $20,000.  On the burglary charge, the maximums are 10 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

At last week’s arraignment, Magargal’s attorney, Sam Krone, requested a modification to the bond, which was set at $20,000, cash only, by the circuit court judge.

Krone sought a reduction to $10,000, cash or commercial surety, along with house arrest in his childhood home in Cody where his client would be under the supervision of his mother and be required to wear an ankle monitor.

Judge Bobbi Overfield denied the request, leaving the current bond conditions unchanged.