Man gets 7-year sentence for 2001 university arson

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in the 2001 ecoterror arson at the University of Washington.

Thirty-two-year old Justin Solondz was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty in December to arson and conspiracy, The Seattle Times reported (http://is.gd/jPBbl3).

Prosecutors say he built firebombs that started the blaze at the university’s Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle.

Members of the Earth Liberation Front mistakenly thought a researcher was genetically altering poplar trees.

The fire caused $6 million damaged and destroyed the work of several researchers.

Solondz was arrested last year following his expulsion from China, where he spent three years in prison after he was caught with marijuana.

Three other people accused of the arson have been convicted and a fourth killed himself in jail.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com