Operation Backfire (FBI)

In 2004 the FBI merged seven independent investigations from its Portland, Oregon field office and called them Operation Backfire. According to an agency statement, the operational focus is on investigating acts of domestic terrorism, carried out on behalf of two activist groups, the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and Animal Liberation Front (ALF).[https://www.fbi.gov/page2/jan06/elf012006.htm Federal Bureau of Investigation - Press Room - Headline Archives - Eco-Terror Indictments] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060308152116/https://www.fbi.gov/page2/jan06/elf012006.htm |date=March 8, 2006 }}

In December 2005 and January 2006, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI indicted six women and seven men on a total of 65 charges, including arson, conspiracy, use of destructive devices, and destruction of an energy facility. The defendants were named as Joseph Mahmoud Dibee, Chelsea Dawn Gerlach, Sarah Kendall Harvey (née Kendall Tankersley), Daniel McGowan, Stanislas Meyerhoff, Josephine Sunshine Overaker, Jonathan Paul, Rebecca Jeanette Rubin, Suzanne Savoie, Justin Franchi Solondz, Darren Thurston, Kevin Tubbs, and Briana Waters.[https://www.fbi.gov/page2/jan06/elf012006.htm Eco-terror Indictments - 'Operation Backfire' Nets 11] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817222138/https://www.fbi.gov/page2/jan06/elf012006.htm |date=August 17, 2010 }} A number of other unindicted co-conspirators were also named. A 13th alleged co-conspirator, William "Bill" Rodgers, also known as Avalon, committed suicide while in police custody.{{cite web|url=http://www.indybay.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=3945&category_id=14 |title=Eco-Defense Arrestee Bill Rodgers Found Dead in Cell in Arizona |publisher=Indybay.org |date=2005-12-22 |access-date=2012-03-21}}

According to reports,{{cite web |url=http://www.indymedia.org/en/2006/01/831928.shtml |title=Secret Grand Jury investigations have led to indictments of 12 |website=Independent Media Center |date=January 24, 2006 |access-date=2012-03-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204053906/https://indymedia.org/en/2006/01/831928.shtml |archive-date=2012-02-04 }} and their own websites,{{Cite web|date=2006-06-18|title=Charges & Court Dates at Free Darren Thurston - Support Site|url=http://freedarren.org/?page_id=4|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-15|website=Wayback Machine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618051331/http://freedarren.org/?page_id=4|archive-date=2006-06-18}}{{cite web |url=http://www.supportdaniel.org/ |title=Support For Daniel McGowan |publisher=Supportdaniel.org |date=2005-12-07 |access-date=2012-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018153628/http://www.supportdaniel.org/ |archive-date=2018-10-18 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.supportchelsea.net/ |title=Support Chelsea Gerlach |publisher=Supportchelsea.net |access-date=2012-03-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111044824/http://www.supportchelsea.net/ |archive-date=2013-11-11 }} most of the indicted individuals initially claimed to be innocent of the charges.

Prosecutors alleged that the 11 conspirators collectively referred to themselves as "The Family" and had taken an oath to protect each other.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/20/AR2006012001823.html |title=11 Indicted in 'Eco-Terrorism' Case |work=Washingtonpost.com |date= 2006-01-21|access-date=2012-03-21 |first=Blaine |last=Harden}} The FBI indicated that some of the charges relate to a 1998 arson attack, claimed by the ELF, on the Vail Ski Resort in Colorado. Other charges were related to another attack on the botany labs at the University of Washington in 2001. The combined cost of the damage from the attacks is estimated at approaching $80 million.[https://www.fbi.gov/page2/jan06/elf012006.htm Federal Bureau of Investigation -- Eco-Terror Indictments] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060301120432/https://www.fbi.gov/page2/jan06/elf012006.htm |date=March 1, 2006 }}

In late 2006, a number of self-described ELF members pleaded guilty to arson and other charges in U.S. federal courts.{{Cite magazine|last=Grigoriadis|first=Vanessa|date=2011-06-21|title=The Rise and Fall of the Eco-Radical Underground|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-eco-radical-underground-245345/|access-date=2021-10-22|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}

On November 11, 2006, Joyanna Zacher, Nathan Block, Daniel McGowan and Jonathan Paul pleaded guilty to several eco-sabotage related charges, as part of a global resolution agreement with prosecutors. Judge Ann Aiken presided over the hearings. The change of pleas from the four defendants resolves all current "Operation Backfire" cases in Oregon.{{Cite web|date=2006-11-11|title=Notes from Oregon Eco-Sabotage Plea Hearings Flies on the Wall|url=http://info.interactivist.net/article.pl?sid=06/11/14/1649245|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928000523/http://info.interactivist.net/article.pl?sid=06/11/14/1649245|archive-date=2007-09-28|access-date=2021-10-15|website=Wayback Machine}}

On December 15, 2006, Chelsea Dawn Gerlach and Stanislas Gregory Meyerhoff, pleaded guilty to $20 million worth of arsons committed between 1996 and 2001 by the Eugene-based cell of the ELF known as "The Family". Their fire-bombing of a Vail ski resort resulted in damages totaling $12 million, with the FBI characterizing the ELF as the United States' "top domestic terrorism threat". Gerlach has previously pleaded guilty to 18 counts of arson in other attacks, saying she was motivated by "a deep sense of despair and anger at the deteriorating state of the global environment," but adding that she has "since realized the firebombings did more harm than good." Meyerhoff has renounced ELF and pleaded guilty to 54 counts, but is still under indictment in Michigan, Arizona, Washington, Wyoming and California.[http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/53743.html Two plead guilty in 1998 Vail ski resort fire] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210543/http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/53743.html |date=September 27, 2007 }}

On March 6, 2008, Briana Waters, who was arrested in Operation Backfire for another ELF attack in Washington State, was found guilty of two counts of arson{{cite news|last=Carter|first=Mike|date=2008-03-06|title=Briana Waters convicted, Seattle Times|publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004264738_webuwarson06m.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2012-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309182759/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004264738_webuwarson06m.html|archive-date=2008-03-09}} and sentenced later that year to six years in prison.{{cite news|last=Bartley|first=Nancy|date=2008-06-20|title=Briana Waters sentenced, Seattle Times|publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008008001_uwarson20m.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2021-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620185306/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008008001_uwarson20m.html|archive-date=2008-06-20}}

The FBI alleged that the group was led by William C. Rodgers, who was arrested in December 2005 and committed suicide in jail just before he was to be transferred to Oregon. Josephine Sunshine Overaker has not been apprehended;{{Cite web|title=JOSEPHINE SUNSHINE OVERAKER|url=https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/dt/josephine-sunshine-overaker|access-date=2021-06-21|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us}} she is believed to be in Spain.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/newss-mp4-josephine-sunshine-overaker/view|title = Josephine Sunshine Overaker}}

Justin Franchi Solondz was arrested in Dali, China in March 2009 on charges of growing marijuana.{{Cite news | last = Levin | first = Dan | title = China Jails Environmentalist Wanted in U.S. | newspaper = New York Times | location = New York, NY | date = November 27, 2009 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/28/world/asia/28china.html?_r=4&th&emc=th }} He pleaded guilty to manufacturing drugs in a daylong trial and was sentenced to three years in prison by a local court. He was deported back to the U.S. to face charges there after serving his sentence.{{Cite web|url=https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/seattle/press-releases/2011/fugitive-who-built-firebombs-linked-to-2001-arson-of-uw-center-for-urban-horticulture-arrested-following-expulsion-from-china|title = Fugitive Who Built Firebombs Linked to 2001 Arson of UW Center for Urban Horticulture Arrested Following Expulsion from China}} On December 20, 2011, Solondz pleaded guilty.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2011/12/justin_solondz_pleads_guilty_i.html|title = Justin Solondz pleads guilty in 2001 University of Washington fire bomb case|date = 20 December 2011}} On March 16, 2012, Solondz was sentenced to seven years in prison.{{Cite web|url=https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/seattle/press-releases/2012/last-defendant-arrested-in-uw-horticulture-center-arson-sentenced-to-prison|title = Last Defendant Arrested in UW Horticulture Center Arson Sentenced to Prison}}

Rebecca Jeanette Rubin surrendered to FBI agents at the Canada–US border in Blaine, Washington on 29 November 2012.{{Cite web|last=Carson|first=Teresa|date=2012-11-29|title=Environmental activist long wanted in U.S. arson attacks surrenders|url=https://news.yahoo.com/environmental-activist-long-wanted-u-arson-attacks-surrenders-015817129.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203075427/https://news.yahoo.com/environmental-activist-long-wanted-u-arson-attacks-surrenders-015817129.html|archive-date=2012-12-03|access-date=2021-10-15|website=Wayback Machine}}{{cite web|date=2012-12-07|title=FBI — Eco-Terrorist Surrenders; Two Fugitives Still at Large|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/december/eco-terrorist-surrenders-two-fugitives-still-at-large/eco-terrorist-surrenders-two-fugitives-still-at-large|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211200024/https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/december/eco-terrorist-surrenders-two-fugitives-still-at-large/eco-terrorist-surrenders-two-fugitives-still-at-large|archive-date=2012-12-11|access-date=2012-12-10|website=Wayback Machine|publisher=Fbi.gov}} On 10 October 2013, Rubin pleaded guilty.{{cite web | url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2013/10/eco-saboteur_rebecca_rubin_ple.html | title=Eco-saboteur Rebecca Rubin pleads guilty to arson, but won't give up any names | date=11 October 2013 }} On 27 January 2014, Rubin was sentenced to five years in prison.{{cite web | url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2014/01/rebecca_rubin_former_eco-sabot.html | title=Rebecca Rubin, former eco-saboteur and fugitive, sentenced to five years in prison | date=28 January 2014 }}

Joseph Mahmoud Dibee, was apprehended in Cuba and returned to the US on 10 August 2018, after twelve years on the run. Dibee was believed to be beyond the reach of the FBI in Syria, which has no diplomatic relations with the United States, and was ultimately discovered to be traveling through Central America, en route to Russia. With the assistance of Cuban authorities, the FBI detained him before he could board a plane to Russia, and brought him to Portland for trial.{{cite web|date=2008-11-19|title=Operation Backfire|url=https://www.fbi.gov/page2/nov08/backfire_111908.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210095159/https://www.fbi.gov/page2/nov08/backfire_111908.html|archive-date=2008-12-10|access-date=2021-10-15|website=Wayback Machine|publisher=Fbi.gov}}{{cite web |title=Domestic Terrorism: After 12 Years on the Run, Joseph Dibee Has Been Apprehended |url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/domestic-terrorism-joseph-mahmoud-dibee-apprehended-081018 |website=FBI.gov |access-date=21 August 2018}} On 21 April 2022, Dibee pleaded guilty.{{cite web | url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/pacific-northwest-environmental-extremist-and-arsonist-pleads-guilty | title=District of Oregon | Pacific Northwest Environmental Extremist and Arsonist Pleads Guilty | United States Department of Justice | date=21 April 2022 }} On 1 November 2022, Dibee was sentenced to time served.{{cite web | url=https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2022/11/eco-saboteur-joseph-dibee-ordered-to-complete-community-service-given-no-added-time-in-custody-at-sentencing.html | title=Eco-saboteur Joseph Dibee ordered to complete community service, given no added time in custody | date=November 2022 }}

The last fugitive militant Josephine Sunshine Overaker sought for the delits of Conspiracy to Commit Arson of United States Government Property and of Property Used in Interstate Commerce; Conspiracy to Commit Arson and Destruction of an Energy Facility; Attempted Arson of a Building; Arson of a Vehicle; Arson of a Building; Destruction of an Energy Facility, offering $50,000 for information leading to the arrest.{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/dt/josephine-sunshine-overaker|title=JOSEPHINE SUNSHINE OVERAKER|work=FBI|access-date=17 June 2019}}

In January and February 2006, as a result of separate investigations, but widely reported as extensions of Operation Backfire,[http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2006/02/36924.php FBI Continues Crackdown on Environmentalists : AZ IMC] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616001032/http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2006/02/36924.php |date=2006-06-16 }}{{cite web|url=http://mambo.agrnews.rack2.purplecat.net/?section=archives&cat_id=11&article_id=196 |title=Asheville's Finest Webhost: PurpleCat.Net |publisher=Mambo.agrnews.rack2.purplecat.net |access-date=2012-03-21}} three more individuals, Zachary Jenson, Eric McDavid and Lauren Weiner, were arrested in Auburn, California for conspiring to damage facilities "by explosive or fire." Eric McDavid, the only one of the three who refused to sign a plea agreement, was found guilty on all counts and faces up to 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine, when sentenced on the 6th of December.{{Cite web|last=Thanawala|first=Sudhin|title=Convicted eco-terrorist freed; government failed to disclose evidence|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/9/convicted-eco-terrorist-freed-amid-claims-fbi-hid-/|access-date=2021-10-22|website=The Washington Times|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=How an FBI Informant Sent a Radical Environmentalist to Prison, and How He Got Out Again|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-an-fbi-informant-sent-a-radical-environmentalist-to-prison-and-how-he-got-out-again-227/|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Vice.com|date=27 February 2015 |language=en}} In Washington, Nathan Block and Joyanna Zacher were arrested on charges relating to a 2001 arson on a farm near Clatskanie, Oregon{{cite web|author=anon|date=2006-02-26|title=Two More Indicted Today for 2001 ELF Jefferson Poplar Action|url=http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/02/334518.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408105241/http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/02/334518.shtml|archive-date=2008-04-08|access-date=2021-10-15|website=Wayback Machine|publisher=Portland.indymedia.org}} and in Tucson, Arizona, Rod Coronado, a prominent American eco-anarchist, was arrested on a felony charge of demonstrating the use of a destructive device.{{Cite web|date=2006-02-22|title=SELF-PROCLAIMED MEMBER OF THE EARTH LIBERATION FRONT CHARGED WITH DEMONSTRATING THE USE OF A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE|url=http://sandiego.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel06/sd022206.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060322020447/https://sandiego.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel06/sd022206.htm|archive-date=2006-03-22|access-date=2021-10-15|website=Wayback Machine}}

The indictments of the 18 activists for alleged acts of eco-terrorism have drawn condemnation from activists and alternative media organizations. The National Lawyers Guild condemned the operation and the resulting indictments, arguing that "life sentences for property damage offenses where the actor has no intent to harm an individual are simply unconstitutional."{{cite web|author=Azadeh Shahshahani, President |url=http://www.nlg.org/news/statements/greenscare2006.htm |title=National Lawyers Guild |publisher=Nlg.org |access-date=2012-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060714131330/http://www.nlg.org/news/statements/greenscare2006.htm|archive-date=July 14, 2006}} Animal rights activist Jerry Vlasak accused the FBI of targeting "a bunch of above-ground, well-known, peaceful animal-rights activists and environmental activists and charg[ing] them with being members of the ALF and the ELF."{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0130/p20s01-sten.html |title=Backstory: Eco-vigilantes: All in 'The Family?' |publisher=csmonitor.com |date=2006-01-30 |access-date=2012-03-21}}

In response, then-U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales argued that "there's a clear difference between constitutionally protected advocacy — which is the right of all Americans — and violent criminal activity."

• Earth First!
• Ecotage
• Green Scare
• Jeff Luers
• Will Potter
• Craig Rosebraugh
• University of Washington firebombing incident

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2006/January/06_crm_030.html Department of Justice Press release]
• [http://www.ecoprisoners.org/ The North American Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network]
• [http://www.spiritoffreedom.org.uk/ Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network]
• [http://www.cldc.org Civil Liberties Defense Center]
• [http://www.greenisthenewred.com Green Is The New Red.com]

{{Animal rights|state=collapsed}}

Category:Eco-terrorism

Backfire

Category:Animal Liberation Front

Category:Earth Liberation Front

Category:Animal rights movement