Spokane-area man faces charges

Thu., May 20, 2004

From staff and wire reports

A Spokane-area man with past ties to the Aryan Nations faces a minimum of 30 years in prison if convicted of newly filed federal charges accusing him of firebombing a synagogue in Oklahoma City.

A federal grand jury in Oklahoma City indicted Sean Michael Gillespie, 20, on three charges related to hurling a Molotov cocktail at the synagogue, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

Gillespie, who recently lived in Latah, in southern Spokane County, also could face a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted of the federal charges, prosecutors said.

“It is important that we protect places of worship from this type of crime,” said Robert G. McCampbell, the U.S. Attorney in Oklahoma City.

Gillespie is accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at Temple B’Nai Israel in Oklahoma City on April 1.

According to the affidavit given by FBI agent James Barnett, a videotape from a security camera at the synagogue showed a masked person attacking the synagogue with a fire bomb at 7:40 p.m.

The synagogue sustained only minor damages, authorities said.

The video tape and information provided by an informant led to Gillespie’s arrest, FBI agents said.

Gillespie, who had worked at a fast-food restaurant in Coeur d’Alene, was arrested by FBI agents April 16 near Russellville, Ark., and subsequently returned to Oklahoma.

He is to appear before a federal magistrate in Oklahoma City at 3 p.m. Friday to enter a plea to the charges.

Gillespie previously was involved with neo-Nazi skinhead activities in Spokane and was affiliated with the Aryan Nations, FBI agents said. He was discharged from the National Guard in February over difficulties related to his white supremacy beliefs.

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