BOISE, Idaho -- Three white supremacists face up to 25 years in prison on their convictions for plotting last spring to bomb a Seattle disco frequented by homosexuals.
Stephen Edwin Nelson, 35; Robert John Winslow, 29; and Proctor James Baker, 58, all of northern Idaho, all were convicted Thursday night by a federal court jury.
Nelson and Winslow each face up to 25 years in prison, while Baker faces a maximum of 15 years behind bars. U.S. District Judge HaroldRyan will sentence the trio Jan. 11.
'The verdict shows that domestic terrorism will not be tolerated in Idaho,' said federal prosecutor Maurice Ellsworth.
Richard Butler, leader of the white-supremacist Aryan Nations Church in northern Idaho, said, 'The real criminal goes off with a quarter million (dollars) of government money.'
Butler was referring to FBI informant Rico Valentino, a former professional wrestler who infiltrated the Aryan Nations compound in rural Kootenai County Idaho, posing as a tax protester.
During the trial, which began Oct. 2, assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald Howen called the case one of 'domestic terrorism.' Aside from plotting to bomb Neighbours Disco, prosecutors charged the trio also plotted to bomb a Jewish synagogue and Seattle-area businesses frequented by blacks and Asian-Americans.
Defense attorneys argued Valentino fostered and financed the conspiracy. When Nelson and Winslow were arrested May 12 in Seattle, FBI agents found the makings of a firebomb in their van. Baker was arrested later in northern Idaho.
Winslow and Nelson were convicted of conspiracy to bomb; knowingly making, receiving or possessing bombs and grenades; carrying firearms in connection with a crime of violence; and crossing state lines to commit a crime. Baker was convicted of conspiracy and bomb possession.
The defendants remained in jail without bail.
