COLUMBIA, S.C., May 28, 2008
S.C. Teen Escapes Serious Bomb Plot Charge
However, 18-Year-Old Still Faces Charges That Carry Combined 40 Years In Prison
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Ryan Shallenberger, 18, stands before a judge on April 21, 2008 as he is assigned a court-appointed attorney. Schallenberger was indicted Wednesday, May 28, 2008 on three federal explosives charges for allegedly plotting to blow up his South Carolina high school. (AP)
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Ryan Schallenberger, 18, still faces three federal explosives charges that carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, but prosecutors dropped a charge of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction that could have sent him to prison for life. Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald would not say why he dropped the charge.
"Having considered the circumstances of this matter, and having reviewed the evidence obtained to date, I believe the case is properly charged. The explosives charges that were issued by the grand jury today are very serious charges," McDonald said Tuesday.
Schallenberger's attorney did not answer the phone at his office after hours and his voice mail was full.
Schallenberger was arrested April 19 after his parents picked up a package addressed to him containing 20 pounds of ammonium nitrate. Police said a search of his home found other materials needed to make several bombs as well as a cassette tape he wanted played after he died in the assault he planned on his high school.
Schallenberger also faces state charges. McDonald said federal and state prosecutors haven't decided who will try the teen first.
A judge had granted prosecutors' request to have Schallenberger undergo a mental examination, but that is on hold as defense lawyers appeal, saying a different psychiatrist found the teen competent to stand trial and that he was able to help his lawyers.
The judge also is considering a request from defense attorneys to seal a journal that authorities said contained notes on explosives that Schallenberger had experimented with and evaluated, as well as praise for the Columbine High School killers in Colorado.
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- Maybe he figured out that 20 lb of ANFO would even make a serious dent int he ground, let alone wipe out a school.
Posted by USBrit
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Now now ... don''''t go bringing logic into it.
Posted by cyberus
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What in the He!l are you two talking about?!?!?!?
Little Rat B@stard was going to bring a bomb to school....I bet you''d be saying something different if ti was the school your kids went to - Reply to this comment
- We seem to have NO PROBLEM in finding and convicting "common criminals" but can''t seem to find a way to nail the bush regime to the cross for war crimes here and abroad, what is up with that? The evidence is there, we know he lied, he knows he lied and yet this tih horned tyrant just jack steps around the globe looking for more ways to spend our money on other countries he is profiting from while leaving this one to fall apart. Anyone have an answer that makes sense? ANYONE?....... ANYONE?
- Reply to this comment
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Maybe he figured out that 20 lb of ANFO would even make a serious dent int he ground, let alone wipe out a school.
Posted by USBrit
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Now now ... don''t go bringing logic into it. - Reply to this comment
- "Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald would not say why he dropped the charge."
Maybe he figured out that 20 lb of ANFO would even make a serious dent int he ground, let alone wipe out a school. - Reply to this comment
