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Three sentenced in firebombing attempts in Sierra foothills

The Associated Press | Friday, Mar 17 2006 6:15 PM

Last Updated: Friday, Mar 17 2006 6:15 PM

Three eco-terrorists were sentenced Friday to federal prison for a series of firebombings that put towns in the Sierra foothills on edge.

Ryan Daniel Lewis, 22, the alleged leader of the group, was sentenced to six years, and two sisters - Eva Rose Holland, 26, and Lili Marie Holland, 21 - were each handed two-year prison terms.

Prosecutors alleged Lewis recruited the Holland sisters and Jeremiah Dean Colcleasure, 24, on Christmas Eve 2004 to help him burn down two unoccupied upscale homes in Lincoln, a Sacramento suburb, in the name of the Earth Liberation Front.

The FBI calls the ELF an eco-terrorist movement responsible for more than $100 million in damage since 1996.

The four set up incendiary devices in two homes, but the firebombs didn't ignite.

Lewis tried again on Jan. 12, 2005, planting five devices in a commercial building under construction in Auburn, northeast of Sacramento, which also didn't ignite. In a third attempt on Feb. 7, 2005, Lewis planted seven devices in an apartment complex in Sutter Creek, southeast of Sacramento, one of which caused $50,000 damage, prosecutors said. The other six were extinguished by a sprinkler system.

Lewis and the Holland sisters pleaded guilty in October, while Colcleasure pleaded guilty to attempted arson March 3 and is set for sentencing May 19.

Lewis was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to make $243,035 in restitution after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted arson and one count of arson.

The Hollands were each sentenced to two years in prison and fines of $2,000 for attempted arson.