Eco-Terrorism - Radical ‘Snitch’ In Western Arson Fires Gets Probation

June 4, 2008

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A radical environmentalist who helped federal officials round up a militant cell of arsonists called “the Family” has been sentenced to five years on probation.

After 20 fires across the West and $40 million in damage, federal agents turned Jacob Ferguson into an informant in 2004.

He took a recorder to meetings with other members of the Family and broke what a prosecutor said Tuesday was a “wall of silence.”

Other members also talked, and one committed suicide in jail.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Engdall said Ferguson’s sentencing marks the end of the 10-year investigation, although three of 15 conspirators are fugitives.

“Only through the assistance of Mr. Ferguson, did the pieces of this mosaic come together,” Engdall said.

Ferguson, who once had a pentagram tattoo on his head and studied diesel mechanics at Lane Community College, renounced his past Tuesday.

He said the efforts of the Family had “achieved nothing,” and the arsonists were fortunate nobody was injured or killed.

He apologized for the economic damage and disruption that he and the others caused for nearly five years.

“I’ll never be able to give back what I took away,” he said.

Ferguson, dressed in a black sweater and black slacks, said he would work with young people to help them avoid getting caught up in violent protests no matter how noble the cause.

Engdall said Ferguson had overcome heroin addiction and the experience of growing up with a drug-addicted father who was in and out of prison.

Ferguson, now 35, also has gone back to school and is raising his son, Engdall said.

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