A preliminary hearing has been set for Jan. 24, 2017 for a Chula Vista man who is charged with possession of explosives and drugs which were found in his burned apartment.
Explosives, ammunition, Molotov cocktails, and gasoline were discovered in the burned unit of David Wasson, 32, after Chula Vista firefighters put out the fire Oct. 17 at 1067 Fourth Ave.
Chula Vista police said Wasson was not identified as being involved with any terrorist or criminal organization, but what those materials were doing in his apartment is not known.
Wasson has not been charged with arson. Neighbors said he ran from his apartment after being burned around 2 p.m. A neighbor who tried to put it out suffered smoke inhalation and was treated for it. Twenty neighbors were displaced and the building’s damages were estimated at $225,000.
Wasson told police he was cooking and his shirt caught fire. He threw the burning shirt and it landed on gasoline containers. He fled the apartment and was treated for burns at UCSD Medical Center before being taken to jail.
A prosecutor asked Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Patricia Garcia to double his $100,000 bail, which she did. He is charged with three counts of possession of a destructive device, two counts of possession of zip guns, and being a person prohibited from possessing ammunition and firearms.
Three misdemeanor charges of possession of methamphetamine and heroin and giving a false name to police were also filed against him, according to court records. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail on $200,000 bail.
Records say he was convicted of grand theft in 2010 and burglary in 2012. An assault charge was filed against him on Feb. 17. Police discovered there was an outstanding warrant against him at the time of the fire.
