By Jeff Barnard
The Associated Press
November 9, 2006

EUGENE, Ore. - Four militant environmentalists pleaded guilty to arson and conspiracy charges today in federal court, part of an investigation into what federal officials say was an ecoterrorist cell that caused $30 million in damage in fire bombings over five years.

As a result of plea agreements, prosecutors recommended sentences of five years for one of the four, Jonathan Paul, 40, of Ashland, a wildland firefighter and animal rights activist.

Sentences of eight years were recommended for the three other defendants: Nathan Block, 25, of Olympia; Daniel McGowan, 32, of New York City; and Joyanna Zacher, 28, of Olympia.

Authorities said a Eugene-based group calling itself The Family set firebombs around the Northwest to stop logging, wild horse roundups, genetic engineering of plants, sport utility vehicle sales and the expansion of a Vail, Colo., ski resort into endangered lynx habitat.

The arsons, from 1996 to 2001, were claimed by the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front.

"I'm hopeful that this will conclude and destroy the arson cells of the ALF and ELF in the Pacific Northwest," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Engdall after a hearing before U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken.

Sentencing is expected to be scheduled for the spring.

In all, 13 people were indicted out of Eugene. Six had previously pleaded guilty, and three are fugitives.

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