As many of you know, a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the old courthouse downtown on June 12, damaging the elections and tax assessor’s offices. Word around town in the aftermath was that the attack was the work of a “firebug,” nothing more.
A suspect was arrested and charged with two felony counts on June 25. That was reported in the Pagosa Springs Sun. The suspect’s political background and leanings weren’t mentioned.
A July 14 news release from Secretary of State Jena Griswold says what our local newspaper did not in its initial report:
"It is appalling that a Colorado elections office was firebombed, and even more so that the suspect has a history of spreading election conspiracies. Attacks on democratic institutions must be strongly condemned,” said Secretary of State Jena Griswold. “I take any threat to elections incredibly seriously, and thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case. We will support the Archuleta County Clerk's Office and ensure they are able to fully recover from this attack.” (emphasis ours)
Colorado Public Radio revealed a lot more about the investigation and the suspect’s alleged motives this week. Officers believe the attack was deliberate and tied to anti-government sentiments and “dissatisfaction with Dominion voting machines.” Remember where that false narrative started?
The man arrested, William Wayne Bryant, ran for Archuleta County sheriff in 2022. He finished third in a race won by the current sheriff, Mike Le Roux. Bryant collected 1,206 votes. Think about that: One of every six voters in this county cast their ballot for him.
You can read and listen to CPR’s deeply reported story here. The Durango Herald also did a creditable report.
You can read the full news release from the secretary of state’s office here.