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SALT LAKE CITY — Police arrested a 52-year-old man Friday who they say had a plan to kill Utah Gov. Gary Herbert.
The Utah Department of Public Safety and the Governor's security detail received information from West Valley City Police that they were contacted by someone who was communicating with a friend who "wanted to do harm to the governor," DPS spokesman Dwayne Baird said. Officers from Salt Lake City Police and the state bureau of investigations joined in to help locate the suspect.
"It appeared from the information we were getting that he had a desire to kill the governor," Baird said. "We realized we needed to mobilize some staff to take care of this situation and we did. In doing so, we were able to track this individual so we could find him in the Salt Lake area."
Brian Biff Baker was arrested on 900 East between South Temple and 100 South. The Governor's Mansion is located at 603 E. South Temple. Baker was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Feb. 3 for investigation of terroristic threats to a governmental unit and threatening elected officials.
In text messages, Baker threatened to use explosives at the Governor's Mansion, according to a jail probable cause statement.
"(Baker) claimed to have been hiding in the bushes there waiting to get the Governor," the statement reads. "He also threatened to shoot a police officer who he saw drive by."
After Baker's arrest, he allegedly said he had loaded M-80s, firearm ammunition and other fireworks inside a vehicle that was parked in the area. Baird confirmed that fireworks were discovered in the car.
"Brian Baker's actions caused the Governor to be locked down and moved by his security detail," according to the jail booking statement.
Baird said Herbert was not in the downtown Salt Lake area and was not in immediate danger at any time. "The governor's security detail kept him safe as they always do."
Still, officers wanted to find Baker to ensure he was nowhere near the governor.
"Anytime we have a threat to the governor we always take that seriously," Baird said. "We realize that we can't just expect that this individual wasn't serious. We had to take the steps necessary to protect the governor and apprehend this individual."
Ally Isom, the Governor's deputy chief of staff, said her office does not comment on security issues.
As of Saturday evening, Baker remained in the Salt Lake County Jail on $25,555 bond.
It is unclear at this time what his motive was, police say.
Email:emorgan@ksl.com
