A Salem man is facing a federal charge after being accused of possessing Molotov cocktails in connection with an alleged attempt to burn down a car dealership, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Oregon reports that Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, was arraigned on the charge in federal court following his recent arrest.
On the night of January 20, Salem police responded to reports of an individual lobbing Molotov cocktails at a local dealership, a month later, on February 19, authorities were called back to the same location after receiving reports of damage from apparent gunfire, during these events surveillance footage is said to have captured Lansky in the act and a vehicle registered in his name was found parked nearby while the assailant allegedly fired shots at the building and cars.
Lansky was apprehended this past Tuesday without resistance and made his initial court appearance earlier today where he was ordered to be held pending further proceedings; this ongoing case is being handled by a cohort of law enforcement including the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Salem Police Department, Assistant U.S. Attorney Parakram Singh is leading the prosecution effort.
While Lansky has been officially charged, it is crucial to remember, as the U.S. Attorney's Office points out, "A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime," and thus he remains innocent until if and when proven guilty according to law the accusations themselves detail the destructive devices were unregistered, thus violating federal statutes.
