SALT LAKE CITY — A Canadian man accused of fire bombing a Cedar Hills home made an initial appearance Friday in U.S. District Court.
Judge David Nuffer appointed Tien Ming Chen, also known as Isaac Chen, a federal defender and scheduled a detention hearing for next Wednesday. Chen faces charges of interstate travel to commit a violent crime and use of fire to commit a felony. He remains in custody.
Chen, 29, flew to Utah from Vancouver, B.C., and allegedly threw three Molotov cocktails at a home in Cedar Hills on Wednesday. Two of them exploded causing minor damage but no injuries. Chen also tried to set a house on fire in Alpine, according to court documents.
Chen apparently has a financial dispute with a man in Alpine and allegedly tried to intimidate him by threatening the man's brother in Cedar Hills.
Court documents say Chen admitted to the allegations in an interview with the FBI.
— Dennis Romboy Twitter: dennisromboy