A Midpines man was arrested last weekend at a gold mining convention in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after he allegedly threw what authorities initially described as an “exploding” backpack.
John P. Marsh, 21, of Midpines was arrested on suspicion of arson, aggravated assault and obstructing a police officer.
No injuries were reported.
Police were called to the Kootenai County Fairgrounds where the Northwest Gold & Treasure Show was underway around 1:15 p.m. March 8, after reports that a backpack had exploded inside a building.
Marsh’s father, a vendor at the show, was reportedly involved in a dispute the day before with another vendor.
On Sunday, Marsh allegedly approached the other vendor and threw the backpack under their table.
Witnesses say the backpack caught fire immediately.
The vendor removed the flaming bag from the building and it continued to burn outside. Police initially identified some kind of accelerant in the bag with two liter bottles, reported North Idaho News.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is also investigating the case.
Marsh appeared in Mariposa County Superior Court on Feb. 24 on two misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance.
Marsh’s father, John A. Marsh, is an entrepreneur who developed an invention for gold prospecting.
It is a so-called “hyper concentrator” that sifts for gold as a kind of modern sluice box.
A Facebook page for a John Marsh (Sean Marx) of Midpines describes its owner as, “Sound tinkerer & occult engineer. I build new noise, chase old echoes, and find beauty in darkness.”
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