Man Charged With Arson For Fire At Children’s Autism Facility

            LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Federal felony charges have been filed against a Las Vegas man for attempting to destroy a local children’s autism learning facility by fire and explosive devices, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada. 

            Samuel Powers, 24, is charged in an indictment dated May 22, 2013, with one count of arson and one count of possession of unregistered firearms (Molotov cocktails).  Powers was arrested by federal authorities yesterday, and today made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Carl W. Hoffman who accepted the defendant’s plea of not guilty to both counts of the indictment.  Powers was ordered detained as a flight risk and danger to the community pending his trial, set for July 23, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro.

            The indictment alleges that on April 15, 2013, Powers damaged and attempted to destroy by means of fire and explosive materials an autism facility located at 7055 Windy Street in Las Vegas, and possessed unregistered Molotov cocktails.

            If convicted, Powers faces five to 20 years on the arson charge and up to 10 years on the unregistered firearms charge, as well as fines of up to $250,000 on each charge.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the Clark County Fire Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina M. Brown.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.