Movement News

October 15, 2005: Newcastle trio plead guilty to eco-terrorism charges

U.S.

Newcastle trio plead guilty to eco-terrorism charges

AUBURN JOURNAL

By: Penne Usher, Journal Staff Writer,

Friday, October 14, 2005

 

Eva Holland leaves a federal courtroom Friday with her mother, Denise Barnes, after she pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted arson in connection with several fire-bomb plantings in Placer and Amador County. Photo by Penne Usher/Auburn Journal

SACRAMENTO- In a surprise move, three Sierra College students pleaded guilty to eco-terrorist charges in a Sacramento courtroom Friday.

Ryan Lewis, 22, of Newcastle, has remained behind bars since his February arrest. He entered the federal courtroom in a prison-issued orange jumpsuit, handcuffed, shackled and looking pale. Along side his court-appointed attorney, Tim Zindel, federal public defender, Lewis pleaded "guilty" to two counts of attempted arson and one count of arson.

Eva Holland, 26, and her sister Lili Holland, 21, also of Newcastle, are free on bail. They dressed conservatively in black with their blonde hair pulled back and were accompanied by their mother and friends. They each pleaded guilty to a count of attempted arson.

A fourth defendant, Jeremiah Colcleasure, 24, will face a jury early next year. He remains free on bail.

The four suspected eco-terrorists were arrested earlier this year in connection with multiple fire-bomb attempts in Placer and Amador counties and are said to have ties to eco-terrorist group the Earth Liberation Front.

As Judge Edward J. Garcia read the counts each defendant replied "guilty."

 

Lewis faces six years in federal prison and the Holland sisters could face three years and three months each in federal prison. Following the completion of a probation report, however the sentence could increase.

Lewis could face up to 60 years behind bars and the Holland sisters 20 years at the upper end, officials said. In addition, Lewis faces up to $100,000 in fines.

Lewis had been charged with eight counts of arson and attempted arson in connection with a Lincoln construction site vandalism and five incendiary devices found at an Auburn office building under construction Jan. 12 as well as the burning of an apartment complex in Sutter Creek Feb. 7.

Four firebombs were found at the Twelve Bridges development in Lincoln Dec. 27.

Steve Lapham, assistant U.S. attorney, read the factual basis of the charges for the court.

"Lewis did knowingly and maliciously damage and destroy, and attempt to damage and destroy, by means of fire, a building and other real and personal property used in interstate commerce," Lapham said. "On or about Jan. 15, 2005, Ryan Lewis sent a letter to the Auburn Journal taking responsibility for the Lincoln and Auburn attacks."

The Earth Liberation Front, an eco-terrorist group that has been known to use arson and sabotage in an effort to send its message, claimed responsibility for the Auburn and Lincoln firebomb attempts in a letter to the Journal Jan. 19.

As Lewis' parents quickly left the courthouse they declined to comment on the guilty pleas. Zindel could not be reached for comment.

Eva Holland's court-appointed attorney, Kevin Clymo said his client's actions were not politically motivated.

"For them it wasn't about politics," Clymo said. "It was a bad decision."

FBI officials have connected Lewis, Colcleasure and the Holland sisters to the Lincoln incident, in which there was minimal damage, including broken windows and spray-painted graffiti.

When asked why he has chosen a jury trial for his client, Scott Tedmon, attorney for Colcleasure said, "Because he is not guilty."

Joseph Wiseman, appointed attorney for Lili Holland, said outside the courtroom Friday that it may not be over.

"They will have to testify (at Colcleasure's trial)," Wiseman said. "They will continue to be fully cooperative with the government."

Eva Holland looked confident as she headed for the parking lot with her sister and family.

"I'm happy to be moving forward and get this behind us," she said.

The Journal's Penne Usher can be reached at penneu@goldcountrymedia.com.

http://www.auburnjournal.com/articles/2005/10/14/news/top_stories/01elfplea.txt

Topic(s): legal news

Posted By ECOBC

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