Shown in this photo is what remains of the “explosive” backpack that burst into flames under a vendors table and was taken outside. Photo courtesy David Peterson
A dispute over rival inventions for gold prospecting allegedly led a Midpines man to throw a backpack filled with explosive material at a competitor during a gold show in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
John Pascal Marsh, 21, of Midpines, was charged last week by the Kootenai County District Attorney with aggravated assault and first degree arson. He remains in custody with bail set at $150,000.
The case is under investigation by federal authorities.
The incident happened March 8 at the Northwest Gold & Treasure Show when Marsh allegedly tossed a backpack under a table operated by David Peterson, co-owner of Prospectors Dream, LLC.
Witnesses say after Marsh tossed the backpack it was immediately engulfed in flames.
Peterson took the flaming backpack outside the building, where it continued to burn.
Bystanders apprehended Marsh and held him until police arrived.
One of those bystanders, Josh Hochman, said on social media, “The kid (Marsh) seemed off and I hope he gets the help he needs, but there were a lot of kids in that building.”
Deputies with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, examine the area where an explosive backpack burst into flames. John P. Marsh, 21, of Midpines is charged with assault and arson. Photo courtesy David Peterson
“This could’ve ended way worse,” he said.
Hochman said when he looked into the backpack he saw three two liter soda bottles “made into huge Molotov cocktails.”
Peterson, the apparent target of the attack, told the Mariposa Gazette he believes Marsh may have been upset with a video he posted four years ago that compared one of his devices, the Dream Mat, to a gold sluice developed by the suspect’s father.
The Mariposa Gazette profiled the suspect’s father, John A. Marsh, and his invention, the Kreeger Sluice, in December 2021.
The elder Marsh described it as a “hyper concentrator,” a kind of modern sluice that separates gold in running water with speed bump like ridges.
During a brief phone call, the elder Marsh said he was present at the event in Idaho but did not see the incident.
He downplayed any animosity over the competing products and said he is hopeful the investigation will “bring things to light.”
During the California Gold Rush, sluice boxes were used to sift for gold. But there are a number of modern inventions that claim to do that more quickly and efficiently for hobbyists and professionals alike.
Peterson’s company has several such products, including the Dream Mat, which advertises itself the “most advance gold recovery system on the planet. Or, your money back.”
Like the Kreeger Sluice, the Dream Mat is also made of rubber with ridges.
Competition and braggadocio is not uncommon in modern gold prospecting.
“He claimed four years ago his thing worked better than my thingy and we raced and he lost,” Peterson told the Gazette in a text message.
“I’ve raced everyone in the business to be where I’m at. I can only speculate that there are hard feeling, or why else would he target me,” Peterson wrote.
Initial media reports in Idaho said Peterson had gotten into an argument the day before the attack with Marsh or his father.
But in a statement over the weekend, Peterson called that an “elevated discussion” with a different vendor who accused him of patent infringement. He said the incidents were unrelated.
“I do not think I’ve ever met or had a conversation with this kid. I think I had conversations with one of his relatives four years back that went south, over my product versus his,” Peterson said in the statement.
“I do not think we should speculate anything other than this young man needs help and he acted alone,” Peterson said.
“Thank goodness no one was hurt.”
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