Bail Denied to ELF Suspects at Federal Court Hearing

[The Straight Story]

Bail Denied to ELF Suspects at Federal Court Hearing
Written for the web by Elizabeth Bishop, Internet News Producer


Three suspected eco-terrorists accused of planning to burn the U.S. Forest Service Institute of Forest Genetics near Placerville were formally charged in federal court in Sacramento this afternoon.

Zachary Jenson, 20, (shown on far right) of Monroe, Washington; Lauren Weiner, 20, (shown on far left) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Eric Taylor McDavid, 28, (shown in middle) of Foresthill were arrested last Friday in the parking lot of an Auburn shopping center on Bell Road. They are accused of plotting to use explosives to destroy U.S. Forest Service facilities, according to the FBI. The plot also allegedly included plans to destroy unspecified cell phone towers and power generation facilities.

At their arraignment, the three suspects were each charged with conspiracy to use an incendiary device to damage or destroy U.S. property. Each also faces a charge of conspiracy to use an incendiary device to damage or destroy property used to conduct interstate commerce.

Convictions on each charge carry sentences ranging from five to 20 years, as well as fines. The judge denied bail for the trio.

http://www.kxtv.com/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=15390