AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

October 27, 2006

ROBERT WEILER PLEADS GUILTY IN ATTEMPT TO BOMB AN ABORTION CLINIC IN GREENBELT

Also Intended to Shoot Doctors Who Provided Abortions

GREENBELT, Maryland - Robert F. Weiler, Jr., age 25, of Forestville, Maryland pleaded guilty today to possessing a pipe bomb (an unregistered destructive device), being a felon in possession of a firearm and attempting to destroy or damage an abortion clinic located on Greenbelt Road in Greenbelt, Maryland, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein stated, "Mr. Weiler's misguided plan to murder doctors and bomb an abortion clinic could have resulted in deaths or serious injuries. Outstanding investigative work by ATF, the Maryland State Police and the Prince George's County Police prevented a tragedy."

ATF Special Agent in Charge Gregory K. Gant said, “The teamwork displayed throughout the investigation was outstanding. The work of the ATF and other law enforcement agencies does not wait until after a horrific event takes place. Through sound investigative work and diligence, agents and officers prevented what would have been a tragedy from occurring had Mr. Weiler not been brought to justice. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank those who made the tough decision to bring their concerns about Mr. Weiler to the attention of law enforcement.”

According to the statement of facts presented to the court as part of his guilty plea, on June 7, 2006, Weiler spoke by telephone with ATF agents while they were interviewing one of Weiler’s friends. Weiler advised that: he was at a rest stop in Western Maryland and wanted to surrender himself immediately; he was in possession of a firearm that he had stolen from a friend; and he had constructed a pipe bomb which was concealed in a closet in a house located in Riverdale, Maryland. Agents arrested Weiler at the rest stop and recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun from the vehicle Weiler had been driving. Weiler was prohibited from possessing a firearm based on a 2003 conviction in Utah state court for obstructing police.

The next day, Weiler advised agents that he was going to use the pipe bomb to blow up an abortion clinic located in Greenbelt, Maryland and that he was going to use the gun to shoot doctors who provided abortions. ATF agents and Prince George’s County Police officers discovered the pipe bomb - consisting of a 1" diameter galvanized pipe, end caps, a length of pyrotechnic fuse and black powder - in a first floor closet at the Riverdale home where it had been hidden by Weiler.

Weiler faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for possession of an unregistered destructive device and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison on the charge of attempting to destroy or damage an abortion clinic. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for December 18, 2006 at 2:00 pm.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigative work performed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Prince Georges County Police Department and Maryland State Police. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Foreman, who is prosecuting the case.