"Ex-air controller pleads guilty to planting bombs"

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Ex-air controller pleads guilty to planting bombs
The Associated Press


DENVER (AP) - A former air traffic controller accused of planting homemade
bombs outside the Colorado homes of four co-workers and a Federal Aviation
Administration official pleaded guilty Friday and now could get 20 years in
prison.

Robert Burke, 54, pleaded guilty to a charge of malicious damage to a
building used in interstate commerce.

U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn said the charge is punishable by five
to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Prosecutors said they
will recommended a term of 10 years when Burke is sentenced on Feb. 2.

Steve Sherwood, who found one of the bombs that crews defused next to a
bush, said the sentence wouldn't be long enough.

"In 10 years, he'll still be young enough to carry a grudge," said Sherwood,
an FAA employee who once worked at the Grand Junction airport control tower.
He said his family plans to move.

Burke was arrested in Utah in April, a month after authorities say he
planted the bombs outside the homes in Grand Junction in western Colorado.
Three exploded and two were defused. There was minor property damage, but no
injuries.

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