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SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at the state Capitol and the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now facing serious charges.
Justin Lee Cromar, 33, was charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with two counts of aggravated arson and two counts of use of an explosive or incendiary device, all first-degree felonies.
On Jan. 11, Salt Lake fire crews were called to the state Capitol and found Cromar on the grand staircase on the south side.
"Cromar told members of the fire crew he threw a Molotov cocktail to burn down the building. Utah Highway Patrol troopers were called to assist, and Cromar made additional statements to the fire crew that he also threw a Molotov cocktail at the LDS Conference Center ... prior to the Capitol," according to charging documents.
A shattered glass bottle and other remains of the Molotov cocktail were found in front of the east door of the Capitol at the top of the stairs, the charges state. The door suffered only smoke damage.
Crews then went to the Conference Center and, on the west side of the building, found a bottle, still intact, in a planter box next to the building, according to the charges.
"Ignitable liquid was located in the bottle and the leaves surrounding the mouth of the bottle were charred. LDS security video captured the event, where Cromar is seen approaching the building, igniting the wick, and throwing the Molotov cocktail into the planter box," the charges allege.
Investigators said they also learned that earlier in the day, Cromar threatened to "fire-bomb" a former girlfriend's house before going to the buildings in downtown Salt Lake City.
