By Justin Juozapavicius
Associated Press
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — An Illinois man charged with plotting to firebomb dozens of churches in northeastern Oklahoma with Molotov cocktails will be tried in federal — not state — court, authorities announced Wednesday.
A federal grand jury indictment unsealed Wednesday charges 24-year-old Gregory Arthur Weiler II of Elk Grove Village, Ill., with one count of possessing an unregistered, destructive device — a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, said Joseph F. Wilson, the criminal chief for the U.S. attorney’s office in the northern district of Oklahoma.
State charges against Weiler were dropped Wednesday after he was taken into federal custody, Ottawa County District Attorney Eddie Wyant said.
Weiler had been jailed in Miami, Okla., since October, when authorities arrested and charged him with threatening to use an explosive or incendiary device and violating Oklahoma’s anti-terrorism law. Investigators say Weiler had instructions for making Molotov cocktails, a list of 48 churches and a written outline of a plan to bomb churches.
Authorities were tipped to the alleged plot after a maintenance man at the motel where Weiler was staying noticed a green duffel bag in a trash bin outside the building and found bottles with cloth wicks attached with duct tape inside. He also noticed an empty gas can in the bin.
Wilson said Weiler appeared in federal court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty through a federal public defender. Wilson said the court will issue an order scheduling future hearings.
Family members of Weiler have said he has struggled with mental illness and may have stopped taking his medication before his arrest.
Joanne Meyers, Weiler’s aunt, said she feared for her nephew’s mental state while he awaited his next court appearance.
“He’s very sick,” she said in an interview with The Associated Press. “We’re very concerned he even understands what’s happening to him.”
Weiler was found mentally competent to stand trial on the state charges last month.
- Posted February 08, 2013
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Church bomb plot suspect charged in federal court
headlines Detroit
headlines National
- More lawyers—and clients—want to learn about sustainable development practices
- Top artificial intelligence insurance tips for lawyers
- Lawyer charged with illegally transmitting Michigan data after 2020 election
- Viral video shows former Rikers Island inmate as she learns she passed bar exam on first try
- How Sullivan & Cromwell is scrutinizing potential new hires after campus protests
- No separate hearing required when police seize cars loaned to drivers accused of drug crimes, SCOTUS rules