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Eco-terrorist charged with environmental violations
Rodney Coronado, who awaits sentencing for interfering with federal efforts to trap mountain lions in Sabino Canyon in 2004, faces new charges alleging that he violated federal laws protecting birds of prey. Coronado, 39, who has been linked to the radical ecological groups Earth Liberation Front and Earth First!, was charged by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service last week with possessing eagle feathers. According to Deb McCarley, a Phoenix FBI spokeswoman, Coronado is accused of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.I think a lot of these laws are excessive and draconian, but it's good to see someone like this get hit with them, rather than some farmer. McCarley had no details on why Coronado may have possessed the feathers or how he obtained them. McCarley said a violation of the Eagle Protection Act carries a maximum one-year prison sentence and $100,000 fine. Coronado could not be reached for comment. Don't they know where he is? The FBI has identified Earth Liberation Front as the nation's top domestic terrorism threat. The organization claims responsibility for more than 1,000 "ecotage" incidents designed to protect animals or "Mother Earth." Coronado was convicted in 2005 of one felony and two misdemeanors for interfering with federal efforts to trap and remove mountain lions from Sabino Canyon. Coronado faces up to 7 1/2 years in prison for interfering with the lion hunt. In February, Coronado was indicted in connection with giving a 2003 speech on how to make a firebomb just hours after members of the group reportedly ignited a $50 million apartment blaze in San Diego, the most expensive act of ecoterrorism in U.S. history. Coronado has not been charged in connection with that blaze. He previously served nearly five years in prison for burning down an animal-testing lab at Michigan State University in 1992. Obviously, 5 years wasn't enough. Posted by: Jackal 2006-07-26 |
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