3 fires set in Salt Lake City leads to federal arson charges
Nov 13, 2024, 4:00 PM
A man who started three fires in Salt Lake City is facing federal charges. FILE — Handcuffs. (Pixabay)
(Pixabay)
SALT LAKE CITY — Three fires set in Salt Lake City have resulted in arson charges.
Johnny Martinez Medina faces federal arson charges and is accused of setting the three fires at government facilities including the airport.
According to the probable cause statement filed in federal court the fires all took place in September. They were described as small fires that were quickly put out.
Fires occurred at the Orrin G. Hatch U.S. Courthouse on West Temple, the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building on State Street, and a tarmac at Salt Lake City International Airport.
According to court documents, police arrested Medina on Sept. 21 after he climbed a fence into the secure area and gained access to the aircraft taxiway/tarmac of the airport. Once there, Salt Lake City Police Department officers reportedly observed Medina set fire to a blanket.
The court documents state that surveillance video and body camera footage first linked Medina to the two later fires. Later, he was identified by federal protective service officers to the first fire..
Medina is charged with three counts of arson of federal property.
Becky Bruce is the news director for KSL NewsRadio.
Amie Shaeffer contributed.
