Brad sentenced to 2 years, David to 4 years

Texas man sentenced to 2 years in RNC Molotov cocktail case / http://www.twincities.com/ / 5/14/09

A federal judge today sentenced a Texas man to two years in prison for possessing Molotov cocktails during last year's Republican National Convention.

Bradley Neal Crowder, 24, was with a group of Texas activists who came to Minnesota to demonstrate during the convention in St. Paul in September. He and David Guy McKay were accused of making and possessing eight Molotov cocktails.

Crowder pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm, which is how federal law classifies a Molotov cocktail. McKay also pleaded guilty and hasn't been sentenced yet.

Last month, Crowder's attorney argued the Austin man shouldn't be sentenced to more than a year and a day in prison, saying he got "swept up in the superheated atmosphere of the convention." Prosecutors had said he should serve three years and one month to three years and 10 months in prison.

Crowder has been jailed since his September arrest.

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David: brief report on sentencing from a friend / 5/21/09

The reason for 4 years is because of two areas...

1. Obstruction of Process he had 2 levels of enhancement for obstruction of the legal process or justice - supposedly for lying on the stand.

2. Acceptance of Responsibility - He was also denied the 2 level sentence reductions because he never fully took responsibility.

[At the hearing] they played a jail phone conversation from Sept 26, where David states unequivocal that Brandon was an informant. Judge recommended David be transferred the to Briggs(?) facility in Texas. The Bureau of Prisons will make the call and it may be months....