Man tries to set fire to US Army tank, feds say. Now, he's indicted in Florida

Julia Marnin, The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) on May 27, 2025

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A Minnesota man convicted of making violent threats tried to set a U.S. Army tank on fire on Valentine’s Day with a “Molotov cocktail,” federal prosecutors in Central Florida said.

Now Trang Johnny Nha Phan, 25, has been indicted, according to a May 27 news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

He faces one count of attempted arson of federal property, one count of possessing a Molotov cocktail as a convicted felon and one count of “using a firearm” in furtherance of a crime of violence, his indictment shows.

Phan pleaded not guilty to the charges in Tampa federal court on May 16, according to court records.

Ashley G. Allen, a federal defender representing him, didn’t immediately return McClatchy News’ request for comment May 27.

When Phan tried to ignite what prosecutors said was a memorial M-60 A-3 Army tank on Feb. 14, he had been convicted of prior offenses: “threats of violence and possessing three grams or more of heroin.”

Prosecutors didn’t mention where the arson attempt occurred.

In 1960, the first M-60 battle tanks were rolled out by the U.S. Army, according to Army Technology. In 1991, the M60 tank series were used during Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War.

In Phan’s indictment, prosecutors wrote the tank he’s accused of trying to burn is owned by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, which is headquartered in Michigan.

Phan’s jury trial is set for July 7 in Tampa, court records show. On May 16, he was ordered to be detained ahead of trial.

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