Oregonian on Phillabaum and Kolar

Eco-saboteurs admit to roles in nine-year string of fires in West

Arson - Two members of the Earth Liberation Front face sentences of from three to seven years Two Earth Liberation Front saboteurs pleaded guilty Wednesday in Tacoma to federal arson charges for their roles in a nine-year spree of eco-sabotage that caused $23 million in damage.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006 The Oregonian

Jennifer L. Kolar, 33, and Lacey Phillabaum, 31, both pleaded guilty to their roles in the May 2001 torching of the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle. The blaze destroyed the center, which cost $7 million to rebuild.

The Earth Liberation Front claimed responsibility for simultaneous blazes at the horticulture center and Jefferson Poplar Farm at Clatskanie.

Kolar also took part in the attempted arson of the Wray Gun Club in Colorado in October 1998, the month that the ELF took responsibility for setting fire to a ski lodge, lifts and other buildings at the Vail resort, authorities said.

As part of a plea agreement, Kolar is expected to admit guilt to taking part in a July 1997 arson in Redmond that destroyed the Cavel West horse meat packing plant, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Peifer in Portland.

Kolar faces up to seven years and Phillabaum is expected to serve between three and five years, he said.

Authorities said Phillabaum also admitted, as part of a statement of facts, that she took part in two other actions designed to destroy what she and her co-conspirators believed were genetically engineered crops: a 2000 strike against canola plants grown by Monsanto in Dusty, Wash., and the 2001 vandalism of poplar trees grown by Oregon State University in Corvallis.

-- Bryan Denson

©2006 The Oregonian