Radical Environmentalist Sentenced to Prison for Damaging SUVs, Vandalism

[demdave]

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A former Boy Scout with ties to a radical environmentalist group was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for vandalizing sport utility vehicles and trying to blow up construction equipment.
Aaron L. Linas, who was 17 at the time of the vandalism spree, pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy charges, and was sentenced Monday.

Prosecutors said Linas was a member of the Earth Liberation Front, an international underground organization that the FBI says has caused more than $100 million in damage since 1996. The group has claimed responsibility for dozens of crimes, including setting logging trucks on fire and spray-painting SUVs.

Linas, now 19, and co-defendants John B. Wade and Adam V. Blackwell unsuccessfully tried to blow up construction vehicles at a shopping center in suburban Richmond, prosecutors said. They also used glass-etching cream to deface restaurants and 25 SUVs at a car dealership.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA2ABTG0TD.html

[maxsolomon]

1. vandalizing is the proper term.

not terror.

sounds like ELF is a bunch of idiot teenagers. they should think harder, plan longer, be smarter.

[FlemingsGhost]

3. LOL!

"$100 million in damage since 1996."

And noone knows who they are. "Idiot" kids.

[phaseolus]

5. ...and lay off the explosives.

Law enforcement and the public at large - myself included - doesn't have much of a sense of humor when it comes to blowing sh!t up. If he were 18 or older I'm guessing his sentence would have been even longer...

[Snoggera]

2. I suppose being a former boy scout saved him

from a life sentence. I'm all for protecting the environment, but not by destroying the possessions of others. Why would anyone think that by destroying a few SUV's they would win converts to their cause? Vandalism is not the way to save anything. Ends don't justify means, and on and on.

[bushbeater]

4. Idiots

They give real environmentalists a bad name. He deserves whatever he gets for being stupid. We don't need morons like this on our team.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

9. OUR team????

[sprockets]

6. While i would condone their actions

i'd have to agree they need some more stealth and planning, although a 100 mil in damage for 8 years ain't too shabby.

Additionally, they should be fully prepared to do some hard time-
Any sentences handed down should come as no surprise.

[Vogon_Glory]

7. Sorry, Kiddo, But

Sorry, kiddo, but I don't have much sympathy for you.

[mbperrin]

8. "Ties"? "Tried to blow up"? Glass etching cream?

Thanks be to Gawd that these dangerous bastards are off the streets!Now all our problems are over! There are no corporations removing health plans, which will result in the premature deaths of thousands; there are not 50,000 people being killed by drunk drivers consuming a legal product; there aren't 360,000 Americans dying from the effects of smoking a perfectly legal product, either.

Hint to boys: Next time, kill people, not things; if you're making a buck while doing it, you'll get REAL respect!

Property damage! How dare they!