November 18, 2010
In court today, Walter Bond pleads guilty to burning down a
Denver sheepskin dealer
In court Thursday, Walter Bond pleaded guilty to one count of "using fire or
explosives to damage property involved in interstate commerce and of using
force, violence or threats involving animal enterprises" under the Animal
Enterprise Terrorism Act. He faces five to 30 years in federal prison. His
sentencing was set for February 11th.
The guilty plea comes after Bond allegedly confessed to his brother that his was
responsible for three A.L.F. arsons:
Sheepskin Factory in Denver ($500,000 damages), Tandy Leather Factory in
Salt Lake City ($30,000 damages), and the Tiburon Restaurant in Sandy ($10,000
damages). His brother had been working with the ATF, and the entire hotel room
conversation was monitored. Bond was arrested soon after.
The Animal Liberation Front communique for the Sheepskin Factory fire stated the
arson...
was done in defense and retaliation for all the innocent animals that have died
cruelly at the hands of human oppressors.
Read the government's criminal complaint against Walter Bond
here, outlining the allegations and evidence against him. The complaint
breaks down the time-line of events leading up to Bond's arrest.
In the courtroom Thursday was the owner of Sheepskin Factory. The store has
since moved to a nearby location, but the owner stated his profits are down
"thousands of dollars".
Bond still has outstanding charges in Utah for the remaining two arsons. It is
expected he will be extradited to Salt Lake City to start the process again,
following his sentencing in Colorado.
Most media reports have falsely stated Bond has not yet been charged with the
Utah arsons, and that he is merely "under investigation". However Bond has in
fact been charged in those fires. Read the indictment for the Utah arsons
here.
An FBI agent in charge had this to say:
"Our priority with acts of terrorism remains to be proactive and preventative.
But when acts do occur, they will be pursued to justice."
Walter Bond continues to be held in a Colorado jail. Please write him a letter
at:
Walter Edmund Bond
PO Box 16700
Golden, CO 80402-6700
- Peter Young
