FBI Complaint Charges Lakeside Man with Destruction of Government Property

San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge Daphne Hearn announces the arrest of Richard William Durant, III, age 36, of Lakeside, California.

Durant was arrested on Sunday, March 9, 2014, at approximately 5:15 p.m. by members of an FBI SWAT team at the San Diego FBI Office, located at 10385 Vista Sorrento Parkway.

On Monday, March 10, 2014, a complaint was filed by an FBI special agent and signed by a U.S. magistrate judge in U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, charging Durant with one count of violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 1361, destruction of government property.

According to the complaint, on Sunday, March 9, 2014, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Durant approached the visitor screening facility at the FBI San Diego Field Office. Durant was contacted by a security officer, at which time he responded with words to the effect of, “I need to speak to a federal agent. Don’t try to stop me. I have weapons.”

Durant then fled from the guard and scaled the fence into the property of the FBI building. Durant crossed the property, approached the main door, and attempted to enter the FBI building. The guard again approached Durant and Durant again responded to the guard with words to the effect of, “I have weapons.” Durant proceeded along the west side of the building, where he again tried to gain access through an outside door and, in so doing, ripped off a u-shaped door handle approximately 12 inches in length.

Durant then entered the parking garage of the FBI building, where he smashed and broke the window of a government vehicle in an attempt to gain access to the vehicle. Durant then climbed to the top of the FBI annex, a single-story building, where he damaged a security camera.

While on the roof, Durant was contacted by San Diego Police Department officers and subsequently by FBI agents. Durant refused multiple requests to comply and remained on the roof. While on the roof, Durant used an unknown device to ignite a fire in the heating ventilation and air conditioning unit attached to the roof of the FBI building. Simultaneous to the fire, FBI SWAT agents intervened and took Durant into custody. Following his arrest, Durant admitted that he had lit a fire on the roof.

Durant is currently being treated and evaluated at a local medical facility, where he remains in the custody of the FBI. Upon his discharge from this facility, it is anticipated that Durant will be booked into the Bureau of Prisons, Metropolitan Correctional Center.

The FBI was assisted by the San Diego Police Department and San Diego Fire Department during this incident. This matter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

An arrest/complaint itself is not evidence that the defendant committed crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.