Eco-Arsonist Gets Prison

(Seattle, Washington) Eco-arsonist Jennifer Kolar, 34, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to commit arson, two counts of arson, one count of attempted arson and using a destructive device during a crime of violence.

The charges stem from Kolar's involvement in the fire set at the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture in 2001.

As a result, Kolar was sentenced to five years in prison, five years of supervised probation and ordered to pay $7.1 million in restitution.

Kolar was a member of a group known as "The Family" who committed domestic terrorism on behalf of the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front. Reportedly, Kolar became radicalized when she attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. She was involved with the Colorado Public Interest Research Group and the did volunteer work for an animal defense organization.

Others convicted in the arson conspiracy include Briana Waters, 32, who was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay $6 million in restitution, and Lacey Phillabaum, 33, who pleaded guilty and faces three to five years in prison when sentenced on August 19.