SALT LAKE CITY — A US Air Force Airman 1st Class is the latest defendant facing federal arson charges in connection with May 30 torching of an SLCPD cruiser during a downtown riot.
Larry Raynold Williams Jr., 22, of West Haven, was arrested at his home Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.
Authorities identified Williams via photographs taken during the riot.
According to the news release, some of the photographs of Williams showed him wearing an M50 gas mask with markings consistent with those used at Hill Air Force Base, where Williams was stationed.
"On Aug. 13, 2020, the readiness squadron at HAFB conducted a general inventory check of equipment issued to Williams and other members of his group during an exercise. According to the complaint, serial/lot numbers were documented for each inventoried item. The lot number for one of the gas canisters assigned to Williams was identical to the number observed on the gas mask as depicted in pictures taken at the riot," the news release said.
Williams is accused of tossing a lit piece of fabric into the overturned police car. He is due in court for his initial appearance at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Federal arson charges in the case are pending against Jackson Stuart Tamowski Patton, 26, Latroi Devon Newbins, 28, Christopher Rojas, 28, and Lateesha Richards, 24, all of Salt Lake City, who were charged earlier.
