Overview

• Austin Tanton, 28, and Kayla Thompson, 31, were taken into custody Friday morning and charged with conspiracy and malicious use of explosive materials, with Tanton also accused of possessing an unregistered destructive device.
• Federal prosecutors say a gasoline-filled jar was thrown through a temple window in November 2023, igniting a fire while people were inside, including a sleeping monk.
• No injuries were reported as monks extinguished the flames, which caused limited damage inside the meditation center, according to officials and court records.
• The indictment was returned Sept. 10, and prosecutors have moved to seize $40,000 in assets tied to the case as the investigation continues.
• The defendants were expected to appear before a magistrate judge Friday afternoon, and they face up to 20 years in prison on the explosives counts, with Tanton facing an additional potential 10 years on the device charge.