Eco-terrorists in Seattle...

I hope they get tough sentences...

Four people awaiting trial on charges that they were part of an ecoterrorism cell that caused $20 million in damage from firebombings around the Northwest are due in federal court today to change their pleas.

Attorneys for the defendants, including two from Olympia, and the prosecution refused to comment on terms of the plea agreements that will be put before Judge Ann Aiken in U.S. District Court in Eugene.

A total of 13 people were indicted out of Eugene as part of an investigation known as Operation Backfire. Six have pleaded guilty, agreeing to testify against the others, and three are fugitives.

The defendants were charged with arson attacks from 1996 to 2001 that were claimed by the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front in Oregon, Washington, California, Wyoming and Colorado.

Nathan Frazer Block, 25, of Olympia, is charged with conspiring to commit arson and topple a high-voltage electric transmission tower in central Oregon.

Joyanna L. Zacher, 28, of Olympia is charged with conspiracy to commit arson, toppling the electric tower, firebombing an SUV dealership, attempted arson and arson.