Man who threw Molotov cocktail at Democratic Party headquarters in Austin charged with arson

A man who attempted to attack the Democratic Party headquarters in a Texas county earlier this week was arrested and charged with arson on Friday.

Katie Naranjo, chair of the Travis County Democratic Party, told reporters on Wednesday that the man, who wore a bandana with the American flag on it, attempted to use a Molotov cocktail to damage the office building.

Naranjo also described a threatening note the suspect left at the scene that was “political in nature”.

Following advice from an informant, police arrested Ryan Faircloth, 30, in connection with the incident. Faircloth left an incriminating post on his Facebook page, matching the note found at the scene, which directed the informant to the police, according to a local NBC affiliate station.

Faircloth was also reportedly captured on surveillance video walking near the building around 2 a.m. with a bottle in hand. The video shows him, his face covered with an American flag, throwing the bottle towards the building, causing a fire and a small explosion.

He was charged with second degree arson and possession of a prohibited weapon for a third degree felony. His bail was set at $ 40,000 on Friday, according to a local CBS station.

If found guilty on both counts, Faircloth could face up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $ 20,000, the outlet noted.

Cynthia Van Maanen, executive director of the Travis County Democratic Party, told Insider that she was grateful that no one was injured in the incident.

“We are grateful to our neighbors who saw the flames and acted quickly, and for the investigators who acted quickly to identify and arrest the suspect,” she said.