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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

San Diegan Convicted in Courthouse Bombing

SAN DIEGO (CN) - A federal jury on Monday convicted a 43-year-old San Diego of using a weapon of mass destruction to bomb the Federal Courthouse here. Donny Love Sr. faces up to life in prison at his Nov. 14 sentencing.

After a 2-week trial, jurors found that Love oversaw the purchase and theft of materials and construction and testing of pipe bombs at his home in Menifee, in Riverside County. His cohorts then drove from Love's home to the courthouse and set off the bombs at the front door on May 4, 2008, according to trial evidence.

"At the time of the bombing, he was in dire financial straits and faced significant jail time arising from two pending state criminal cases," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement. "The evidence showed that he directed the May 4, 2008, bombing for the purpose of obtaining reward money and a break on his state charges by providing information about the bombing to law enforcement. The success of this fraudulent scheme required that he provide false and misleading information about the bombing and induce others to do the same in order to conceal his own involvement and collect a reward and other benefits from the government."

Love's crew - Rachelle Lynette Carlock, Ella Louise Sanders, and Eric Reginald Robinson - have all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. All are awaiting sentencing.

Love was convicted of eight charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Altogether, he faces up to two life terms plus 75 years in prison.

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