Man Believed to be Responsible for Planting Explosive Device at Southwest Plaza Mall Charged with Arson

DENVER—Earl Albert Moore, age 65, of Denver, was arrested yesterday morning without incident by Boulder Police Department officers following a tip from a grocery store employee for allegedly placing an explosive device at the Southwest Plaza Mall, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced. The arrest ends a nationwide manhunt for Moore. Moore is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Denver at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig Shaffer, where he will be advised of the charges pending against him.

According to the affidavit in support of the arrest warrant, on April 20, 2011, Moore entered Southwest Plaza Mall using an employee only entrance. He then allegedly placed an explosive device inside an employee corridor at the mall. Moore then exited the facility. As he was departing a small fire ignited, but the device did not detonate. A security officer used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.

Moore is currently charged with one count of maliciously damaging and destroying, and attempting to damage and destroy, by means of fire and an explosive a building and other real and personal property used in interstate or foreign commerce. If convicted, Moore faces not less than five years and not more than 20 years in federal prison, as well as a $250,000 fine.

“Yesterday’s arrest is the result of extraordinary, round-the-clock teamwork by the FBI, ATF, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office through the Joint Terrorism Task Force, with the key assistance of alert members of the public,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office for the First Judicial District worked alongside this outstanding law enforcement team. Our attention from the outset has been focused on protecting the public safety. The citizens of Jefferson County and of Colorado should be proud of the work these investigators and prosecutors have done.”

“The FBI, ATF, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, all partners in the Joint Terrorism Task Force, have worked tirelessly to bring this investigation to a conclusion,” said FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge James Yacone. “This investigation has been a collaborative effort from the start, involving multiple law enforcement agencies working with both the public and the media.”

“This multi-agency effort involving the ATF, FBI, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is an example of the collaboration required to bring an investigation of this magnitude to a successful conclusion,” said Marvin Richardson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF in Denver. “ATF will continue to dedicate all of our investigative resources in order to protect the citizens of Colorado and ensure the safety of our communities.”

“The great cooperation with all the agencies involved resulted in a quick turnaround in this case and the entire community is very thankful for the outcome,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Ted Mink.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, with substantial assistance from ATF and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The U.S. Marshals Service also provided support. It is important to note that this continues to be an ongoing investigation.

Moore is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Holloway.

A criminal complaint is a probable cause charging document. Anyone accused of committing a federal felony crime has a constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury.

The charges contained in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.