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July 13, 2011

DAVID LAWLESS INDICTED ON TWO COUNTS OF ARSON AND ONE COUNT OF USING A  DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE DURING A CRIME OF VIOLENCE

DENVER –David Joseph Lawless, age 30, of Denver, was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday on charges of arson of a building and use of a destructive device during a crime of violence, the Department of Justice and the Lakewood Police Department announced today.  Lawless is currently in state custody in Clear Creek County, where he is being held on unrelated state charges.  There is no timetable for when Lawless will be transferred from state custody to federal custody.

According to the indictment, on June 25, 2011, Lawless did maliciously damage and destroy, and attempt to damage and destroy, by means of fire and an explosive, a building or other real property, namely the building and contents of Borders Books and Music located in the Colorado Mills Shopping Center.  Further, the indictment also alleges that on June 24, 2011 Lawless did maliciously damage and destroy, and attempt to damage and destroy, by means of fire and an explosive, a building or other real property, namely the building and contents of Urban Sombrero Restaurant, located in Denver.  Lawless is also charged with knowingly use and carry, or possess, a destructive device, also known as a homemade bomb, during and in relation to a crime of violence, namely the device placed at Borders Books and Music.

If convicted of counts 1 and 3, arson of a building and other real property in interstate commerce, Lawless faces not less than 5 years, and up to 20 years in federal prison.  If convicted of count 2, use of a destructive device during and in relation to a crime of violence, Lawless faces not less than 30 years, and not more than life imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence imposed.  Both counts also carry a fine of not more than $250,000, plus restitution.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Lakewood Police Department, with assistance from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Bomb Squad, the West Metro Fire and Rescue Department, and the Colorado State Patrol.

The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Holloway.

The charges contained in the Criminal Complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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