Larry Raynold Williams, Jr., Arson, Utah 2020

A 22-year-old West Haven man has been charged with using fire and explosives to damage and destroy a Salt Lake City Police Department patrol car during May 30, 2020, riots in Salt Lake City.

Larry Raynold Williams, Jr., an Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Hill Air Force Base, was arrested at his home on the arson charge by the FBI and members of its Joint Terrorism Task Force.

According to the complaint, Williams was dressed in a black Nike hoodie, black Nike sweatpants, black shoes, and a black gas mask during the riot. He was observed standing next to another individual, Christopher Isidro Rojas, who held a blue cigarette lighter to ignite a white combustible fabric material. Williams then threw the burning material into the window of the overturned patrol car.

The complaint alleges that Williams used the ignited fabric to set the patrol car on fire. Video footage from the event shows individual rioters using fire and explosives to damage and destroy the police vehicle.

Federal prosecutors in Utah have filed arson charges against five individuals allegedly responsible for burning the patrol vehicle.

"Since May 30, investigators and prosecutors have engaged in a determined investigation of those who were responsible for burning the police patrol car in downtown Salt Lake City," said U.S. Attorney John W. Huber. "Our intent has been to bring consequence to the lawlessness that we witnessed."

Williams was identified as an Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Hill Air Force Base. He was issued an M50 gas mask by his unit for training purposes in March 2020. The markings on the mask are consistent with the markings applied at HAFB.

Williams will make an initial appearance on the arson charge at 3 p.m. Thursday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/fifth-defendant-faces-federal-charges-alleged-role-salt-lake-city-police-department