|
Posted: August 7, 2003
The former head of a now-defunct anti-government extremist group called the Sons of Liberty was convicted by a federal jury in Denver for setting fire to an Internal Revenue Service office six years ago.
In a verdict handed down August 4, 2003, the jury found James Floyd Cleaver, 48, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, guilty of destruction of government property and interference with IRS employees.
Prosecutors said Cleaver and two accomplices used five gallons of gasoline and a timing device to ignite a fire that gutted the IRS office in Colorado Springs on May 3, 1997. A firefighter was seriously injured while battling the blaze, which caused $2.5 million in damage.
Cleaver's co-defendant, Jack Dowell, 51, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced in July to 30 years in prison and ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution. A third defendant, Thomas Dowell, Jack Dowell's cousin, was acquitted.
Cleaver was also convicted of witness tampering and suborning perjury for asking a witness to lie to the federal grand jury. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Cleaver threatened the witness in order to prevent him from cooperating with law enforcement officers.
Prosecutors said the arson was committed to protest against paying taxes and that the three men were motivated by anti-government sentiments.
Cleaver's sentencing is scheduled for October 24. He faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
|
