Center
for the Defense of Free Enterprise
Ron Arnold: the Center applauds FBI for arrest of SUV arson / vandalism suspect, one of two ELF suspects in one week
HOME ISSUES OPPOSITION PROJECTS DEFENDERS WISE USE BOOKSTORE ARCHIVE
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Ron Arnold: the Center applauds FBI for arrest of SUV arson / vandalism suspect, one of two ELF suspects in one week |
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HOME ISSUES OPPOSITION PROJECTS DEFENDERS WISE USE BOOKSTORE ARCHIVE |
Earth Liberation Front
suspect charged in California SUV arson, vandalism raidsU.S. Magistrate orders CalTech grad student held without bail
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BELLEVUE, Wa., March 18. Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise Executive Vice President Ron Arnold today congratulated the FBI for the March 9 arrest of the first of two ecoterror suspects in a week—Michael Scarpitti was arrested March 13. Arnold has been retained as expert consultant on ecoterrorism for a major study at the University of Arkansas Terrorism Research Center, funded by a grant from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
William Jensen "Billy" Cottrell, a 23-year-old graduate physics student from Pasadena, was indicted for damaging or destroying 125 sport utility vehicles at car dealerships and homes in the Los Angeles area last August, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office on Wednesday. Read the indictment (pdf document 87 KB).
"Human life is risked by the nature of these offenses," U.S. Magistrate Carolyn Turchin said during a hearing Wednesday as she decided not to release Cottrell.
His lawyer, Stephen Alexander, said Wednesday that Cottrell is innocent. He accused Judge Turchin of "Guantanamizing" his client, apparently referring to the military base at Guantanamo Bay where U.S. authorities are holding hundreds of suspected Islamic militants without access to lawyers. The accusation rang hollow coming from a lawyer.
According to an FBI affidavit, Cottrell contacted the Los Angeles Times by e-mail using an alias and told the paper he was involved in the firebombings. The California Institute of Technology student signed the e-mails ELF, short for Earth Liberation Front, according to the affidavit. Authorities searched Caltech classrooms and tracked the e-mails to Cottrell. Investigators say the firebombing spree hit four car dealerships and at least four privately owned vehicles. Read the FBI affidavit (pdf document 128 KB).
A fire set at one dealership destroyed or damaged 72 vehicles, mostly SUVs, and a parts warehouse. "ELF," "Fat, Lazy Americans" and "I (heart) pollution" were painted on the SUVs. Prosecutors estimate the total damage at $2.3 million. The Earth Liberation Front has claimed responsibility for a string of arsons in Detroit, Philadelphia and San Diego, where a fire last year destroyed a 206-unit apartment complex under construction, doing $50 million worth of damage.
On its website, the Earth Liberation Front calls Cottrell "an environmental campaigner."
FBI officials said in an affidavit that Cottrell was also involved in a plot to plaster sport utility vehicles with 5,000 bumper stickers that read "My SUV Supports Terrorism."
Many environmentalists disapprove of SUVs because of their high gas consumption, just as many families love them for their ability to accommodate children safely.
If convicted, Cottrell could spend 40 years behind bars. One charge he faces, using a destructive device during a violent crime, alone carries a minimum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.
Cottrell's arraignment is scheduled for March 29.
Arnold said, "Domestic terrorism is not the way to influence energy policy in America. The Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise and its thousands of members nationwide congratulate the law enforcement officers who apprehended Billy Cottrell, alleged SUV ecoterrorist, one of two ELF suspects captured in a week. We offer any assistance we may to federal prosecutors."
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