"Joyanna Zacher and Nathan Block

Eugene, Oregon, U.S. - Convicted eco-saboteurs Nathan Block and Joyanna Zacher were sentenced to a staggering seven-years, eight-months in prison Friday. Judge Ann Aiken was dismayed that neither of the defendants expressed remorse for their crimes and sentenced them each to them to the full term requested by the prosecution, saying that they wanted to be known as "activist martyrs." Their sentencing was the last in a week that saw three other former environmental activists sent to prison for arsons that were claimed by the Earth or Animal Liberation Front between 1996 and 2001.


Government informants Darren Thurston, Kendall Tankersly and Suzanne Savoie

Darren Thurston, Kendall Tankersly and Suzanne Savoie each chose to become government witness immediately or soon after their arrests and pledged to cooperate fully including offering to testify against other defendants in the case. The three were rewarded for their cooperation and were handed down sentences that were significantly shorter than Block and Zacher's.

In light of his having provided information about a "whole array of activities and other people," beyond what was called for in this investigation Thurston was given a sentence of three years and one month which was the most lenient of one given to any defendants in the case. Taking into account that he has already spent a year and a half in prison and that he will likely be given credit for good time he serves Thurston may be released as soon as a year from now.

Tankersly and Savoie who have spent the past year out on bail were sentenced to three-years, ten-months and four-years three-months. Like Zacher and Block the two women pled guilty to only two acts of arson but had their sentences reduced in appreciation of their cooperation. Of the eight defendants in the case who have been sentenced Thurston is the only one to escape being designated a terrorist. Non-cooperating defendants Daniel McGowan and Jonathan Paul face sentencing on Monday and Tuesday."

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"Daniel McGowan

Eugene, Oregon, U.S. - Daniel McGowan of New York City, was sentenced to seven years in prison today and designated a terrorist for his role in two acts of environmentally motivated property destruction in 2001. He was the ninth of ten defendants to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken in the past two weeks. McGowan was one of only four defendants to refuse to name names and implicate others who took part in similar actions. Another non-cooperating co-defendant Jonathan Paul will face sentencing tomorrow.

Judge Aiken decided to give McGowan a terrorism enhancement for his role in the Jefferson Poplar tree farm arson because in her opinion the communique released anonymously by the Earth Liberation Front following the fire threatened the government. According to the prosecution the communique that was released to the media was significantly altered by the former North American Earth Liberation Front Press Officer Craig Rosebraugh. The defense argued that because of this McGowan should not be held responsible for the material contained in it and should not be labeled a terrorist"

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