Suspected arsonist faces federal charges

SALT LAKE CITY — A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment Wednesday against a man suspected of setting fires at two Utah business.

Walter Edmund Bond, 34, of Salt Lake City, is charged with arson and force, violence and threats involving animal enterprises.

The charges stem from an early morning fire at Tandy Leather Factory, in Salt Lake City, on June 5, and a July 2 fire at Tiburon Fine Dining Restaurant, in Sandy.

Bond faces two counts of arson and two counts of force, violence, and threats involving animal enterprises. The indictment alleges Bond used fire in an attempt to damage and destroy the two businesses and that he traveled across state lines for the purpose of damaging and interfering with the operations of the businesses.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Salt Lake City and Sandy police departments, and the ATF.

— Dennis Romboy