Harrison David Burrows, of Provo, was charged Monday in federal court with destruction of property by fire and use of a destructive device. He faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted.
Burrows allegedly confessed to an FBI agent that he set fire to two small garden tractors and a considerable amount of cardboard July 8 at BYU's Ellsworth Farm, according to an affidavit filed by Special Agent Steven F. Fillerup.
Burrows allegedly told Fillerup that an unnamed accomplice set fire to the tractors, but he set the recycling material on fire and both wrote pro-Animal Liberation Front graffiti at the site.
He also allegedly told Fillerup that he called a Salt Lake City television station taking responsibility for the fire in ALF's name.
Burrows also took responsibility for other vandalism at BYU, which included setting free caged rabbits and birds from an on-campus farm.
Burrow has not been charged in other ALF-related incidents at the farm, but the U.S. Attorney's office said there may be additional charges filed against Burrows and other people may yet be arrested.
The fire caused about $30,000 damage, and came just three weeks after ALF's sister organization, the Earth Liberation Front, took responsibility for a $1.5 million lumberyard fire in suburban Salt Lake City.
