Bombing Penalties Are Eased

Two 17-year-old boys who pleaded guilty in a series of propertydamaging bomb blasts have each been sentenced to serve as long as 252 days in juvenile detention, with credit for time already served.

An Okanogan County Juvenile Court judge suspended the boys’ sentences for the most serious charges stemming from the November bombings in Omak.

Aaron G. Simpson could have been sentenced to more than two years’ detention for possession of an incendiary device, and Nicholas G. Johnson could have been sentenced to up to another 196 days for attempted possession of such a device. The suspended jail time could be imposed later if the boys fail to meet conditions of their sentences.

Judge Dave Edwards on Wednesday gave the pair credit for the 76 days they already have spent in detention. The boys also were ordered to pay $924 each in restitution.

The boys pleaded guilty to charges that they built homemade bombs of black gunpowder and pipe and detonated them under two cars Nov. 29.

No one was hurt. One bomb exploded under a driver’s education car while a middle school basketball game was under way nearby. Another bomb was placed under a car that belonged to two teachers with the Omak School District.

Three other bombs were detonated that night, one in a mailbox and two in an open area. Two bombs were found on school grounds Dec. 1, the day the boys were arrested. They were later expelled from Omak High School.

If authorities determine the boys make quick progress in court-ordered treatment, either could be released after serving as little as three more months’ detention.

Simpson pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree arson and single counts of possession of an incendiary device and seconddegree burglary. Johnson pleaded guilty to the same arson and burglary charges and to a reduced charge of attempting to possess an incendiary device.