News
September 13, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: George Goodno | (202) 457-0654
MEDIA
STATEMENT REGARDING CRIMINAL SENTENCING OF SHAC 6
PRECEDENT
SETTING JUDGMENT SENDS CLEAR
MESSAGE TO ANIMAL EXTREMISTS
Washington, DC - The Foundation for Biomedical Research applauds
the stiff sentencing imposed against four members of a radical
animal-rights activist group, known as SHAC USA. Federal District
Court Judge Anne E. Thompson has delivered the sentencing
against the group and four of its six members – who
were convicted last March on all charged counts for their
roles in a campaign to terrorize an animal research company
and its employees.
Judge Thompson stopped short of delivering the maximum punishment
available, though she did sentence the SHAC entity to five
years of probation plus restitution and assessments totaling
in excess of $1 million. In addition, SHAC ringleader Kevin
Kjonaas was sentenced to 72 months in prison; Lauren Gazzola
received 52 months, Jacob Conroy received 48 months and Joshua
Harper received 36 months. All six individuals have been named
jointly and separately liable for restitution of the monetary
fines, payable to Huntingdon Life Sciences.
Darius Fullmer and Andrew Stepanian will receive their sentencing
next week.
The defendants were convicted on stalking charges which stemmed
from an organized campaign that sought to cause three HLS
employees and their families to fear death or injury. Their
actions included "telephone and e-mail blitzes, fax blitzes
and computer blockades against HLS in order to divert HLS
employees from their regular work," the indictment charged.
The trial was the government’s first attempt to curb
the growing threat of anti-research animal extremism since
the Animal Enterprise Protection Act (AEPA) was amended in
2002 to include the crime of "animal enterprise terrorism."
Congress is currently considering legislation to further strengthen
the AEPA. The proposed legislation (H.R. 4239 & S. 3880)
broadens the definition of animal enterprise, increases penalties
for causing economic disruption or damage, and addresses "tertiary"
or third-party targeting - a tactic used by extremists against
anyone who knows or does business with anyone involved in
medical research.
“The cost of not stopping radical animal extremists
is high both in financial and human terms,” said FBR
President, Frankie Trull. “If they are not stopped,
their campaigns could drive research organizations out of
the country altogether. This ruling is a significant victory,
especially since it was accomplished without one strong, comprehensive
federal statutes in place; however, many similar extremist
campaigns are still underway throughout the country and Congress
must act soon to pass the Animal
Enterprise Terrorism Act, equipping law enforcement with
the tools they need to combat this growing threat.”
Misguided and misinformed extremists are posing a growing
threat to vital and humane medical research. For more information
on the evolving landscape of the movement's tactics and strategies,
please
click here.
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