Tanton and 31-year-old Kayla Thompson were arrested Friday in Montgomery County, accused of being involved with a fire in New Caney in November 2023.
Tanton is accused of starting the fire at the Huyen Trang meditation center nearly two years ago. On Wednesday, he and Thompson appeared before a judge in jumpsuits and handcuffs.
No cameras are allowed in federal court, but ABC13 was there as FBI Special Agent Nicholas Regini testified about the case.
It was a tip that led agents to Tanton and Thompson, Regini said. The FBI obtained a search warrant, according to the agent, for both their Facebook pages and their cell phone locations.
Regini revealed their phones were detected near the meditation center at around the time of the fiery attack.
From court records, ABC13 learned Thompson was seen on camera inside a vehicle, parked near the meditation center gates the night of the incident, while Tanton is said to be the person seen actually throwing the incendiary device through the center's window.
Regini said they discovered Facebook messages between Tanton and Thompson. It's alleged that those messages revealed Tanton had been paid around $11,000 to throw that fiery bottle in November 2023. Regini said Tanton sent Thompson fire emojis in those online messages and told her he was owed more money and a Glock handgun.
During questioning from the state, Regini alleged that Tanton spent the $11,000 on guns and drugs.
The agent did not say who paid Tanton. He also didn't have an answer about a motive when asked if the attack was driven by ideology.
Both Tanton and Thompson entered not guilty pleas.
Tanton was not given a bond, citing a lack of work, housing, previous drug history, and mental health records. Tanton's wife and mother were in court and did not wish to make a comment to Eyewitness News.
Thompson was given a $10,000 unsecured bond, and online records show she is no longer in jail.
This case will go on trial, with jury selection slated for mid-November.
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