Three Defendants Reach Plea Deals in ELF Arson Attacks

Three Defendants Reach Plea Deals in ELF Arson Attacks
Written for the web by Elizabeth Bishop, Internet News Producer

In a surprise development, three defendants in a string of attacks against construction projects in the foothills entered guilty pleas in federal court Friday morning.

Ryan Lewis, 22; Eva Holland, 25; and her sister Lili Holland, 20, changed their pleas. The two women each pleaded guilty to one count of attempted arson. Lewis entered a guilty plea to two counts of attempted arson and one count of arson. A fourth defendant, 24-year-old Jeremiah Colcleasure (shown above) has decided to fight the charges against him in court.

Lewis now faces a sentence of six years in federal prison. If he had gone to trial and been convicted, he could have faced a sentence of up to 60 years.

The Holland sisters could each be sentenced to three years and three months in federal prison. If they had been convicted, they could have been sentenced to a mandatory minimum of five years and possibly up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 13.

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