Man Accused Of Using Molotov Cocktail To Try To Set Fire To Memorial Tank Outside FL VFW

SARASOTA, FL — A man faces charges after trying to set fire to a memorial tank outside Sunshine VFW Post 3233 earlier this year, according to court documents.

Trang Johnny Nha Phan, 25, was charged with attempted arson of federal property, possessing a Molotov cocktail as a convicted felon and using a Molotov cocktail in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

While the DOJ said that Phan is from Minnesota, his arrest affidavit has a Sarasota address listed for him and also said that he is 33 years old.

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If convicted on all counts, Phan faces a minimum penalty of 35 years and up to 65 in federal prison.
On Feb. 14, Phan tried to set fire to a M-60 A-3 tank owned by the U.S. Army and displayed at the VFW using a Molotov cocktail, the DOJ said.

A patrol officer saw “a small fire followed with a small explosion on the front of the memorial tank,” according to the affidavit.

The officer saw Phan, who, despite commands from law enforcement, got into his SUV and speeded away from the scene.

A Hennessy bottle with what was suspected to be gasoline inside and a paper towel also thought to be soaked in gasoline was found at the scene, the affidavit said.

Officers later found Phan and his SUV at his home and arrested him.

At the time, Phan had been convicted for threats of violence and possessing three grams or more of heroin, the DOJ said.

His father told officers that his son was on probation in Minnesota at the time of the VFW Hall incident and they had just moved to Sarasota two months earlier, the affidavit said.

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