Ringleader in San Mateo Explosives Heist Sentenced to 51 Months

[struggle4progress]

02/11/05 4:50 PST
OAKLAND (BCN)

The ringleader in the theft of more than 700 pounds of explosives from a law enforcement storage facility in San Mateo County last year was sentenced today to four years and three months in federal prison.

Michael Allan, 46, who had no known address before being arrested in connection with the heist over the July Fourth weekend, was originally charged with 11 felony counts and faced up to 105 years in prison and $2.75 million in fines.

But in November the U.S. Attorney's office allowed the three-time felon, who has two prior convictions for auto theft and one for second-degree burglary, to plead guilty to just three counts, one count of conspiracy to steal explosives and two counts of stealing explosives that moved across state lines. <snip>

Authorities initially feared that the explosives could wind up in the hands of terrorists, but they later said that it appeared that the suspects' motive was just to sell the explosives to get cash. <snip>

http://www2.cbs5.com/localwire/localfsnews/bcn/2005/02/11/n/HeadlineNews/RINGLEADER-SENTENCED/resources_bcn_html

[pinniped]

1. He has a 'known' address now.

--Michael Allan, 46, who had no known address before being arrested--