Suspect in two Utah fires nabbed in Colorado
By Jeremiah Stettler
The Salt Lake Tribune
Jul 24, 2010 07:54PM
Federal agents have arrested an animal rights activist known as "Lone Wolf" for a Colorado fire and suspect him of setting fire to a leather factory and restaurant in Salt Lake County.
Walter Bond, 34, of Salt Lake City, was captured in Colorado on Thursday on a charge of torching a Sheepskin Factory near Denver - a fire that caused an estimated $500,000 in damage to the business, which specializes in sheepskin products ranging from shoes to rugs to seat covers.
Although Bond's arrest is tied specifically to that April 30 blaze, investigators believe he is the same man who sparked recent fires in the Tandy Leather Factory in Salt Lake City and Tiburon Restaurant in Sandy.
"I think if it is the right guy, I think it's fantastic," Tiburon owner Ken Rose said of the arrest.
The fire at Tiburon closed Roses' restaurant for 13 days earlier this month. Rose said he hopes authorities "throw the proverbial book" at Bond.
According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, someone using the nickname "ALF Lone Wolf" drew the connection in an Internet posting, suggesting that fires had been in retaliation for animal cruelty.
"Be warned that making a living from the use and abuse of animals will not be tolerated," a writer identifying himself as "ALF Lone Wolf" wrote in the aftermath of the Sheepskin Factory fire. "Also be warned that leather is every bit as evil as fur, as demonstrated in my recent arson against the Leather Factory in Salt Lake City. Go vegan!"
Bond, who has a prominent tattoo beneath his chin that reads "VEGAN," made his first appearance Friday in U.S. District Court in Denver. His criminal charge: One count of arson affecting interstate commerce.
The Sheepskin Factory - which he allegedly described as a "box of matches" and threatened to burn again "in a couple of years" because it had opened at another location - had done business out of its Colorado store and over the Internet. Online business can be considered interstate commerce.
"Terrorism in the name of animal rights is every bit as dangerous and destructive as the other threats facing our country today," said Denver FBI Special Agent in Charge James Davis. Bond's alleged actions "resulted in significant property damage and worse, could have resulted in the loss of life."
The Sheepskin Factory fire was far more destructive than the ones that flared up in the Salt Lake Valley.
The Tandy Leather Factory, at 1107 S. State Street in Salt Lake City, sustained less than $20,000 in damage during an early-morning fire on June 5. Firefighters said someone broke through a window and ignited a pile of trash and rags.
One month later, flames struck Tiburon Fine Dining at 8256 S. 700 East in Sandy. Firefighters kept the July 2 fire from spreading beyond tables and chairs. The damage was estimated at $10,000.
Bond now faces prison time for his Sheepskin Factory fire. If convicted, he could spend 5 to 20 years in federal prison. His sentence also could include up to a $250,000 fine. Bond has not been charged in the Utah fires, according to the office of the U.S. Attorney for Utah.
U.S. Attorney David Gaouette praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for apprehending Bond.
"Arson is a serious and potentially deadly crime that impacts an entire community," ATF Special Agent in Charge Marvin Richardson said. "ATF is committed to pursuing arsonists that endanger firefighters and communities by their senseless acts of violence."
jstettler@sltrib.com
