Michael Austin Ford, a 58-year-old from West Valley City, Utah, has been ordered to be held without bail as he awaits trial on serious allegations. Ford is accused of setting fire to two school buses in incidents that have alarmed the community and raised questions about safety on school transportation. Magistrate Judge Cecilia M. Romero, citing the severity of the accusations, described Ford as a “danger to the entire community.” The charges against him include two counts of arson of a vehicle of an organization receiving federal funds, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.

Ford’s legal representation, a federal public defender, has sought reconsideration of his detention without bail. In addition to the federal indictment, Ford faces charges in Salt Lake City District Court, including aggravated arson, aggravated child abuse, and obstructing justice. These charges stem from incidents on February 24, 2022, and April 7, 2023, when Ford, then a bus driver for the Granite School District, allegedly set fire to the buses he was driving, endangering the lives of students on board.

Incidents and Prosecution Evidence

The 2022 incident involved 42 school children, as reported by federal prosecutors, while state prosecutors claim the number was as high as 66. Despite the dangerous situation, a spokesperson for the district confirmed to KSL of Salt Lake City that no injuries occurred among the students. Security footage from the incident showed Ford continuing to drive as flames and smoke emerged, prompting him to stop only after the children reacted to the smoke. Before the 2023 incident, Ford allegedly tampered with a bus’s video system, but the district’s security measures allowed for recording, aiding in the investigation.

Prosecutors have linked Ford to a series of fires involving school buses dating back to 2001, highlighting a troubling pattern. Judge Romero expressed concerns about Ford’s mental state and his delayed response to extinguishing the bus fires. Ford, who had been employed by the district since 1998 after passing the required background checks, was placed on leave and subsequently terminated following the investigations. The district and community are now grappling with the implications of these events as the legal process unfolds.