Posted on 05/23/2007 10:09:18 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
EUGENE, Ore. – Declaring fires set at a police station, an SUV dealer and a tree farm acts of terrorism, a federal judge Wednesday sentenced the first of 10 members of a radical environmental group to 13 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken commended Stanislas Meyerhoff for having the courage to “do the right thing” by informing on his fellow arsonists after his arrest, but declared that his efforts to save the earth by setting fires were misguided and cowardly, and contributed to an unfair characterization of others working legally to protect the environment as radicals.
“It was your intent to scare and frighten other people through a very dangerous and psychological act – arson,” Aiken told Meyerhoff. “Your actions included elements of terrorism to achieve your goal. “The fact that your actions were completely irrational doesn't mitigate this. Nor does the fact that no one was hurt.
Meyerhoff, 29, has admitted to being a member of a Eugene cell of the Earth Liberation Front known as The Family, which was responsible for more than 20 arson fires from 1996 through 2001 in five Western states that did $40 million in damage.
Meyerhoff was involved in fires at a Eugene police substation, a Eugene SUV dealer, an Oregon tree farm, federal wild horse corrals in Wyoming and California, and a Vail, Colo., ski resort. He also helped topple a high-voltage transmission line tower in Oregon.
After a member of the cell, Jacob Ferguson, agreed to turn informant and wear a hidden recording device, Meyerhoff and five others were arrested, starting in December 2005. Soon after his arrest, Meyerhoff turned informant as well, which Aiken said resulted in more arrests.
Defense attorney Terri Wood said Ferguson has a deal with the prosecution that involves one count of arson and no prison time.
In a statement before being sentenced, Meyerhoff denounced the ELF, saying its goals of promoting a public discussion about stopping practices that harm the earth actually cut off debate and harmed people.
“I was ignorant of history and economy and acted from a faulty and narrow vision as an ordinary bigot,” Meyerhoff read from his four-page handwritten statement, his voice breaking at times. “A million times over I apologize ... to all of you hardworking business owners, employees, researchers, firemen, investigators, attorneys and all citizens whose property was destroyed, whose holidays were ruined, whose welfare was thwarted, and whose sleep was troubled.”
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Aiken said, Meyerhoff was eligible for 30 years to life in prison. However, prosecutors recommended reducing that to 15 years, eight months, based on his cooperation with investigators. Aiken further reduced that to 13 years, noting that Meyerhoff showed courage by naming names and opening himself to retribution.
Defense and prosecution lawyers declined comment after the sentencing.
Prior to sentencing, Wood asked for leniency, arguing that most of the fires were not acts of terrorism because they were set at businesses, not government facilities.
The prosecution countered that based on communiquDes issued after the fires, the blazes were meant to retaliate against the U.S. Forest Service for allowing a Vail ski resort to expand into a national forest, the University of Washington for genetic engineering research and the government for prosecuting radicals who set earlier fires at the SUV dealer.
“The communiquDes are powerful, powerful evidence that the defendants and Mr. Meyerhoff intended to influence the conduct of government,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Engdahl. “It is our position that the terrorism enhancement clearly applies to Mr. Meyerhoff.”
Aiken rejected the argument the ski resort arson was terrorism, noting the communique made no direct reference to the Forest Service.
But she declared that a fire set at a Eugene police substation was terrorism because it was a direct attack on government. The Romania Chevrolet SUV dealership arson was terrorism because the communique said it was revenge for sending arsonist Jeff Luers to prison for 22 years. And the Jefferson Poplar Farm arson was terrorism because the communique spoke of affecting pending legislation.
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I wouldn't want to be any of the 9 remaining to be sentenced.
That's pretty much all you need to know about these warped Socialists.
A tree farm? Trees are just awful for the environment. That act proves the environment had nothing to do with their terrorism. Yeah burning cars is good for the environment.
dang....he gets more than dog killers and tackily clad demure wives who decide to whack their preacherman husbands do here in Tennessee
They weren’t green. The judge got it right that they only hurt real environmental groups. I don’t disagree with all environmental concerns. But these idiots were just that. Idiots.
Only have to wait for an outgoing democrat president to pardon them.
Let’s make certain it is the full 13 years.
U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken commended Stanislas Meyerhoff for having the courage to “do the right thing” by informing on his fellow arsonists after his arrest, but declared that his efforts to save the earth by setting fires were misguided and cowardly, and contributed to an unfair characterization of others working legally to protect the environment as radicals.
Can you imagine a judge saying this same speel to a Pro Lifer who burns down an Abortion Clinic?
Ironically enough,, she was a 1998 appointee by the PardonMeister Herr Clinton. ;-)
Judge Aiken, that IS.
I agree that there’s nothing wrong with being good to the environment and not polluting and punishing those who destroy the planet. But it seems like the vast majority of the “environmentalists” are just anti-freedom, anti-human, anti-property, communist thugs. You are correct that these people really turn off others, like me. I used to be a huge environmentalist. Now when I hear someone is “green” I immediately grab ahold of my wallet.
The sierra club had a big split when those in charge went pro immigration. So the sierra club went from a true environmental organization to a left wing social agenda group. They lost much of their credibility with that move. Any fool can see that if the country gets filled with third worlders it can only degrade the environment.
They must be crapping bricks about now. Good! Too bad they can't be hanged and their heads mounted on spikes at the town gate.
-ccm
I hope these arrogant environmental wacko terrorist bastardos get the maximum not the minimum of 30 years.
I will bet the anal cavities of those other nine after reading the sentence of Stanislas have their butts puckered big time.
So, the Iraqus who blow up markets and kill dozens are NOT terrorists because they don’t target the government. Idiot liberal thinking on parade yet again...
We had a mink farm in the town I grew up in. Some these ELF types decided to ‘free the minks’; only they did it in the dead of winter and it seemed the domesticated minks weren’t too good at foraging.
That’s awful! Terrorism at it’s worse. I’d want revenge.
That’s awful! I’d want revenge.
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