Suspect in Litchfield fire surrenders
Dec. 4, 2012 — A Canadian citizen, indicted in the Eastern District of California on charges related to the 2001 fire at the Litchfield Wild Horse and Burro Corrals, surrendered herself into the custody of the Federal Bureau Investigators (FBI), Thursday, Nov. 29.
Rebecca Jeannette Rubin, 39, surrendered herself at the international border of Blaine, Wash., and faces federal arson, destructive device and conspiracy charges in Oregon, Colorado and California.
A press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ) District of Oregon said “Rubin’s arrest marks the end of her decade-long period as an international fugitive in the largest eco-terrorism case in United States history.”
After an appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle, Rubin will be transferred in custody to face trial in Oregon.
Investigators from the FBI, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Calfire and the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office were called to the corrals in the predawn hours of Oct. 15, 2001 after a fire erupted in a 250-ton haystack and pole barn. Several corral fences were also vandalized.
According to Jeff Fontana, public information officer with the BLM, local firefighters had to leave the corral after discovering several suspicious-looking apparatuses and a bomb squad was called to disarm the devices. No people or animals were injured during the incident.
The DOJ said Rubin’s Oregon charges include her alleged participation in the November 1997 arson at BLM’s wild horse and burro facility in Harney County, near Burns, and attempted arson at the office of the United States Forest Industries in Medford in December 1998.
A Colorado federal indictment charges Rubin with eight counts of arson in the October 1998 fires that destroyed Two Elk Lodge and other buildings at the Vail ski area.
In August 2007, 10 other defendants in the case received prison terms ranging from 156 months to 37 months after pleading guilty in the U.S. District Court in Eugene to conspiracy and multiple counts of arson. Two other defendants, Joseph Mahmoud Dibee and Josephine Sunshine Overaker remain at large as international fugitives.
Each count of arson and attempted arson carries a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison, up to a maximum 20 years. Use of a destructive device in relation to a crime of violence carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of 30 years in prison. Conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of five years. Each count in three indictments carries a potential fine of up to $250,000.
- Susanville Area Bicycle Association gets active on the Bizz Johnson Trail
- Herlong Correctional holds Fallen Officers memorial service
- Lassen College basketball player receives scholarship
- Biznews for May 21, 2013
- Remembering those who sacrificed much this Memorial Day
- Shave that head! Shave that head! Shave that head!
- Memorial Day honors our fallen heroes
- Obituaries for May 21, 2013
- Remember When for May 21, 2013
- Lassen Volcanic National Park scenic drive open for holiday weekend
Add comment
The Lassen County Times reserves the right to delete any comments that do not comply with these rules of conduct. Commenters who repeatedly do not comply will be prohibited from posting further comments.
Comments are limited to 300 characters. If you would like to post a longer message, please submit a letter to the editor.
Sports Headlines
Susanville Area Bicycle Association gets active on the Bizz Johnson Trail
May 23 — The Susanville Area Bicycle Association is inviting bikers, hikers, runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels to the Bizz Johnson Trail at 6 p.m. Tuesday evenings. The weekly event is part of an outdoor series the association will be putting on through October. The event will begin...
Read More...Lassen College basketball player receives scholarship
Justin McBride takes a shot for the Lassen Community College Cougars. McBride was on the 2013 Golden Valley Conference men’s basketball championship team and recently accepted a scholarship to attend and play basketball for Grace University in Omaha, Neb. Photo submitted May...
Read More...Herlong takes championship at annual volleyball tournament
The Herlong Lady Vikings eighth-grade volleyball team won the championship at the annual Play Day tournament Friday, May 3. The team poses with its championship trophy in the Westwood High School gym. Photo submitted May 21 — The Herlong Lady Vikings eighth-grade volleyball...
Read More...National News
Super Market |
Automobiles |










Click here to see the latest listings.
Click to see latest bargains
Click to see latest bargains
Comments