Calif. Man Convicted of Arson Charges

A graduate student at the California Institute of Technology has been convicted of a series of arson charges related to firebomb attacks on sport utility vehicles in the San Gabriel Valley last year. William Jensen Cottrell, who prior to his arrest was studying in the Physics Department at CalTech, was found guilty by a federal jury that convicted Cottrell of one count of conspiracy and seven counts of arson.

The jury determined that Cottrell participated in a series of attacks during the early morning hours of Aug. 22, 2003. Cottrell and two as-yet uncharged co-conspirators struck car dealerships and several privately owned vehicles. About 125 vehicles and one commercial building were damaged or destroyed by paint and fire.

Approximately one month after the attacks, Cottrell, reportedly using an alias, sent several e-mails to the Los Angeles Times that claimed responsibility for the SUV firebombings and stated his affiliation with the Earth Liberation Front. Cottrell reportedly offered specific details of the attacks to prove his involvement and emphasized his support of ELF actions. The e-mails led investigators to Cottrell.

Cottrell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7, 2005 and is being held without bond.

Topics California