The Vernal man arrested and held on no bond last week after dangerous materials and police body armor were found in his Uintah County home was officially charged in 8th District Court on Tuesday, March 2nd. On February 23rd, 37-year-old Michael Dallas Rowley was taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated assault and then booked into Uintah County Jail on a long list of offenses after officers found a bullet in his pocket during his arrest. Because he is a restricted person that cannot legally possess a firearm, a warrant was obtained to search his home. Inside the residence deputies found body armor, ammunition, items used to construct explosive devices including gun powder, pipe fittings, bbs, washers and pyrotechnic cartridges, body armor which belonged to the Sheriff’s department and more illegal items but no firearms were located during the search. It was believed that Rowley was able to remove or hide the firearms prior to the anticipated arrival of law enforcement. Court documents state that a second search warrant was granted for the residence’s outbuildings where a container was found with three firearms inside: a .22 rifle described by the victim, a shotgun, and a .243 caliber rifle as well as more ammunition. The felony charges officially filed against Rowley on Tuesday include Recklessness with an Incendiary Device, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Restricted Person, Possession or Use of a Controlled Substance, Use or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, and Endangerment of a Child. Court documents state that the dangerous items and drugs located throughout the house were easily accessible to Rowley’s girlfriend’s young daughter who was living at the residence. Court documents also state that others reported to police that Rowley had been heard to say that he “wanted to kill an officer.” A court date has not yet been listed for Rowley in 8th District Court.
