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SALT LAKE CITY — A man who prosecutors say set fires at federally occupied buildings in Salt Lake City is facing criminal charges.
Johnny Martinez Medina was charged last week in federal court with three counts of arson on federal property or property that receives federal funds. A federal complaint was previously filed in early October.
On Sept. 13, Medina set a backpack on fire near the entrance at the Orrin G. Hatch U.S. Courthouse at 351 S. West Temple, court documents filed Wednesday state.
"Medina told officers that he set the backpack on fire so that he could go to jail. Officers cited Medina and released him from the scene," the indictment says.
But a short time later, charging documents say Medina was arrested after allegedly throwing a rock through the window of a Utah Highway Patrol vehicle parked at the Utah State Capitol.
A week later, on Sept. 21, "Medina was arrested after climbing over a fence into the secure area and walking several hundred feet onto the aircraft taxiway/tarmac of the Salt Lake City International Airport," charges state. He set fire to a blanket, prosecutors said, and was arrested for investigation of trespassing and reckless burning.
The next day, Medina allegedly lit trash on fire in front of the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building at 125 S. State.
"Officers reported a fire approximately 3 feet in height in the revolving door of the building. Security officers quickly extinguished the fire and observed Medina walking away from the area," according to the charges.
