Animal rights activist pleads guilty to Salt Lake area arsons

SALT LAKE CITY — An animal rights activist who burned down a Colorado sheepskin store, as well as a leather store and restaurant building in Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty to federal charges Wednesday.

Walter Edmund Bond, 35, pleaded guilty to felony counts of arson and violence involving animal enterprises. He has already been sentenced to five years in Colorado and could face between five to 20 years for the Utah fires when sentenced Sept. 19.

Prosecutor John Huber said the government will argue to make the Colorado and Utah sentences consecutive to one another.

"He is unapologetic. He is an unrepentant serial arsonist," Huber said, adding in the eyes of the federal government, people who commit crimes in the name of animal rights are considered "domestic terrorists."

Bond's defense attorney, Nathan Crane, said his client has some pretty strong beliefs but wants to take responsibility for his actions. When asked if his client is repentant for what he did, Crane said that is up to Bond to answer.

A member of the Animal Liberation Front with the nickname Lone Wolf, Bond is accused of setting fire to the Tandy Leather Factory, 1107 S. State, last June and Tiburon Fine Dining, 8256 S. 700 East, last July. The fires caused $20,000 and $500,000 in damage respectively.

Later, Bond claimed responsibility for the fires on the ALF website.

According to court documents, Bond targeted the sheepskin, leather and restaurant businesses because they represent animals that a wolf would hunt; to fit his moniker Lone Wolf.

Bond was sentenced for the sheepskin store fire in Colorado last March.

In court Wednesday, Bond said little other than standing to plead guilty. In past hearings, Bond has said he considers himself a "prisoner of war, the war against inter-species slavery and objectification."

Bond remains in federal custody pending sentencing.

Email: gfattah@desnews.com