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China Jails Radical US Environmentalist

He is sentenced to 3 years in prison on drug charges

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 28, 2009 3:14 PM CST
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(Newser) – An environmental activist from New Jersey who faces arson charges in the US has been sentenced to 3 years in prison in China on drug charges. Justin Solondz, 30, had been hiding out under a pseudonym in the mountainous town of Dali, which the New York Times describes as a "backpacker haven." Authorities say he had 33 pounds of pot buried in his yard and a drug lab inside his rented house. He pleaded guilty and has asked to be deported to the US.

Whenever he does return to the US, Solondz faces charges for his role in a series of arson attacks in May of 2001 that caused $5 million in property damage in Seattle, Oregon, and California. Solondz, who is on the FBI's Most Wanted List, belonged to an offshoot of the radical Earth Liberation Front called the Family. His former girlfriend is now serving 6 years for her role in the fires.

This file photo shows several burned buildings and vehicles at a tree nursery May 21, 2001, in Clatskanie, Ore. The fires were blamed on the Earth Liberation Front.
This file photo shows several burned buildings and vehicles at a tree nursery May 21, 2001, in Clatskanie, Ore. The fires were blamed on the Earth Liberation Front.   (AP Photo/Oregon State Police)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 16 comments
Count-Spatula
Nov 29, 2009 12:28 PM CST
I appreciate his activism, but... he's just another twenty year old (no more) weed fiend who can't grow up ...contributing to a productive group effort wouldn't feed his ego.
DontLikeYou___
Nov 29, 2009 12:19 PM CST
Fry the little bastard.
RockyPneumonia
Nov 29, 2009 10:58 AM CST
Oh, I'm sure that sidewinder felt cool and worldly-wise while typing that.

 
China • Earth Liberation Front • environmentalists • Justin Solondz

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