Eric McDavid, Zachary Jenson, and Lauren Weiner were arrested on Friday, January 13th in Auburn, California and accused of "conspiring to damage or destroy by explosive or fire" cell phone towers, power plants, and US Forest Service facilities. They are accused of being members of an Earth Liberation Front cell and are currently being held in the Sacramento County Main Jail. All three have requested prisoner support, including: letters, books, and assistance in obtaining legal counsel. Letter writers should familiarize themselves with guidelines for writing to prisoners before sending mail.

Support organizers are asking that people wait until the prisoners and their lawyers have had an opportunity to develop defense strategies before organizing any activities on their behalf other than letter writing. Lauren is lactose intolerant has requested nutritious vegan meals, but thus far has not been given enough vegan protein. She would like people to call or write the jail and request that she be given nutritious vegan meals and be given access to the commissary. She is currently in isolation and has only been allowed to leave her cell for visits and court. Zachary is vegetarian and would like people to call and/or write the jail and request that he be given vegetarian meals.

The charges that the three face currently consist of a charge of conspiracy to damage or destroy public and private infrastructure by explosives or fire- they face potential sentences of five to twenty years in prison. The charges will be more clear when the indictment (a rubber stamp from a grand jury for the government to prosecute the case) is delivered and the charges become official. Criminal complaint against the three indicates that the case is primarily based upon the testimony of a confidential informant who was paid by the FBI and "embedded" within the alleged ELF cell. According to the criminal complaint this person has been an informant in 12 other "anarchist cases" and has agreed to testify in open court.

Detention hearings have been set for Friday, January 20th for Lauren, and Tuesday, January 24th for both Eric and Zachary. These hearings will determine whether or not they will be eligible for bail. The US Attorney who is prosecuting the case, Ellen Endrizzi, has thus far tried to create the illusion that if they are bailed out, they would flee and put the public at risk. Lauren, Zachary and Eric are facing serious charges, their families and concerned supporters believe that their assertion of their rights are helping to give their cases a promising start. Read more

Portland IMC article with Advice about Snitches, Security and Suspected ELFers | Bombs and Shields article | Bombs and Shields Blog