By Shannon Lukens. (Daniel Domin mug shot courtesy Routt County Sheriff’s Office.)

 

Bond for Daniel Domin was increased by Judge Erin Wilson in court Tuesday because she said she was “significantly concerned about community safety.”

 

The 39-year-old is accused of allegedly setting a neighbor’s pickup truck on fire on Dec. 22, in the area of the Sparta Plaza apartments near Whistler Road. Domin bonded out on $25,000 bond for the arson charges and was then charged with violating that bond.

 

Law enforcement came to arrest Domin on Dec. 31, and had to use gas and then had to breach the unit where Domin was located, in order to get him in custody.

 

Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett testified at Tuesday’s bond hearing about what Domin was saying during the 2.5 hour standoff. He says Domin called it a training exercise for him to prepare for a “bigger event” with police officers in the future.

 

Dawn Smith with the Routt County Sheriff’s Officer was a negotiator at the scene Sunday night. She said Domin described officers and deputies on the scene, talking about their bodies, their hairstyles, who was in shape and who wasn’t. She said he made comments of where the snipers were positioned. Smith referenced a possible connection to Incel and Misogynist Violent Extremism groups, saying Domin was, “a threat to the community and himself.”  Incel Terrorism Groups

 

Domin’s original bond was increased to $500,000, with extra bonds set at $50,000 and $10,000 for other charges. If he bonds out, he is not allowed to have any contact with anyone involved with the case, including the neighbor or police officers. There is a mandatory protection order. Judge Wilson said Domin must vacate his home at the Sparta address and he cannot go back there, and he has to stay away from any location where the victim of the arson may be because Judge Wilson said she has a “lack of faith in Mr. Domin’s ability to restrain himself if he sees Mr. (name withheld).” He cannot leave the state without permission. He has to let the court know of any change of address. He cannot commit any felony offenses while on bond. He cannot possess or control any firearms or weapons or ammunition. If he has any, he has to relinquish those within 24 hours.

 

Until he bonds out, Domin is at the Routt County Jail.

 

His criminal history also included pleading guilty to felony stalking in July of 2022, where the FBI and U.S. Secret Service was involved. The court on Tuesday heard threats that were made to Domin’s father and brother. When Domin was arrested for that case, police found 13 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition at his home.

 

There is also an alleged incident with a gun in Fruita, in December, which violated his sentence and bond conditions.

 

It was also told in court today that Domin has lived in Steamboat Springs, “about three years.”

 

Judge Wilson asked Domin if he had any questions and he said no, and he acknowledged that he understood the new orders. He was listening via Webex from a room at the Routt County Detention Center. He will be in court next on Jan. 9.

 

At the end of today’s hearing, the man who says he owns the unit where Domin had the standoff with police approached the judge and asked for help to evict Domin. He said there is significant damage to the apartment. Judge Wilson directed him to contact a litigation coordinator to help with that because nothing could be done in the courtroom at that time.