Posted on 12/14/2007 6:52:11 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SAN DIEGO
A radical environmentalist pleaded guilty Friday to distributing information on firebombs while giving a speech.
The plea by Rodney Coronado, 41, came after his trial on the charge ended in September with a hung jury. His lawyers argued his innocence under the First Amendment.
As part of the plea agreement, Coronado won't be prosecuted in other incidents, according to Gerald Singleton, his lawyer.
"He really wants to give them a minimal pound of flesh and move on," Singleton said.
Coronado is scheduled to be sentenced March 27.
He could face up to 20 years in prison under post-Sept. 11 terrorism legislation, but prosecutors were expected to ask the judge for a sentence of a year and a day under terms of the plea agreement, Singleton said.
Federal prosecutors accused Coronado of explaining how to build a crude incendiary device in August 2003 during a speech to environmental activists at a San Diego community center.
Hours earlier, a $50 million arson fire apparently started by an eco-terror group had destroyed an unfinished condo project a few miles away.
Coronado, who once acted as a spokesman for the group, wasn't in San Diego when the fire started and has never been linked to the blaze.
He was charged in February 2006 with a single count of distributing information on explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction with the intent for his listeners to commit illegal acts of violence.
Coronado previously served nearly five years in federal prison for his involvement in a 1992 arson at a Michigan State University mink research facility. He has said he renounced violence last year.
PETA paid thousands of dollars in this guy’s legal defense.
“He has said he renounced violence last year.”
Yeah, sure he has! Environmentalism is like a radical religion - you are allowed to lie.
Unless, of course, the judge says: "a year,... naw, I think twenty's more like it." Wishful thinking.
That’s funny...I thought the big threats to civilized society are those radical, ultra conservative militia types all dressed up in their cammies playing Rambo in the woods.
He should be locked in a cell with about 50 live minks.
Now that would be a real sentence.
How do you spell “sushi?”
Hang ‘em
My father in law was a mink rancher, and everyone in the family had a healthy respect for the cute little critters. They would NOT be like ferrets in your pants.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.