Ex-school bus driver accused of setting fire to buses, one filled with students
A former school bus driver was ordered held behind bars with no bail as he awaits trial after being accused of setting fire to two Utah school buses, one filled with children, authorities said.
A former school bus driver was ordered held behind bars with no bail on Friday as he awaits trial after being accused of setting fire to two Utah school buses, one filled with children, authorities said.
Michael Austin Ford, 58, of West Valley City, a Salt Lake City suburb, was ordered detained without bail by Magistrate Judge Cecilia M. Romero. She said in the detention order that Ford was a danger "to the entire community."
A federal public defender assigned to the case did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Friday, the lawyer filed a motion asking that Ford's detention without bail be reconsidered.
He was charged in a federal grand jury indictment returned Feb. 21 with two counts of arson of a vehicle of an organization receiving federal funds, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah said Saturday.
Ford faces a parallel case in Salt Lake City District Court that includes charges of aggravated arson, aggravated child abuse and obstructing justice. An association that provides public defenders for state court defendants did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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