A Cheyenne teen accused of firebombing the pickup of a rival for his ex-girlfriend with a Molotov cocktail built from a root beer bottle could get some serious prison time if convicted.
Court documents made publicly available Wednesday afternoon detail investigators' allegations that Seth S. Hayes, 18, threw the firebomb into another teenager's pickup after he began dating Hayes' former girlfriend.
Hayes is set for a Thursday preliminary hearing on a felony charge of third-degree arson. During his initial appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court late last week, a judge set his bond at $10,000 cash only.
An affidavit of probable cause filed in the case details how detectives spent weeks piecing together witness statements, surveillance video, social media activity and physical evidence before arresting Hayes nearly a month after the May 21 incendiary incident.
Black Rose
Cheyenne Police Department investigators say the conflict that built up to the firebombing began months before the truck was set on fire.
According to the affidavit, Hayes and his girlfriend ended their relationship in January.
Police wrote that Hayes repeatedly contacted his ex-girlfriend after the breakup, leaving voicemails asking her to reconcile or insulting her when she refused.
"Seth often left things on (her) vehicle, including a pile of ashes and a black rose," the affidavit states.
Police also allege Hayes posted a video on social media showing himself and a friend burning one of her sweatshirts.
After she began dating another teenager, investigators say Hayes' attention shifted to him.
One of Hayes' coworkers told investigators Hayes had talked about wanting to "blow (his) truck up" several days before the fire.
According to the affidavit, the victim later told investigators he had heard Hayes make the same threat before his truck was destroyed.
'Let It Burn'
The teenager told investigators he woke around 2:30 a.m. May 21 to find his pickup engulfed in flames outside his Cheyenne home.
After speaking with officers, he said he drove past Hayes' residence "to see if his car was there."
When he arrived, he told investigators he saw a gas mask sitting on the hood of Hayes' vehicle, according to the affidavit.
Firefighters determined the blaze had been intentionally set and recovered what investigators believe was a Molotov cocktail made from a Sprecher's root beer bottle stuffed with a gasoline-soaked cloth.
Detectives traced the bottle to a Menards store, where investigators say surveillance video shows Hayes buying a four-pack of Sprecher root beer just days before the fire.
Police also examined Hayes' social media activity.
About 25 minutes before the first 911 call reporting the blaze, investigators say Hayes posted Shaboozey's song "Let It Burn" on social media.
The affidavit states detectives combined surveillance video, witness statements, social media activity and physical evidence before concluding they had probable cause to arrest Hayes.
Investigators estimated the pickup truck's value at about $10,000.
Hayes remains charged with third-degree arson. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, when prosecutors must present enough evidence to show there is probable cause for the case to proceed to district court.
If convicted, he could get up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
