A Detroit-area man plead guilty at U.S. District Court here in Grand Rapids to his role in a 1999 arson at Michigan State University (MSU). The arson—claimed by the Earth Liberation Front—was an attack on genetic engineering research.

Jesse William Waters plead guilty to misprision of felony for concealing the crime and failing to report it to authorities. According to media reports, Waters disposed of clothing used by the arsonists. Waters faces up to three years in prison. Previously, Marie Mason—who was sentenced to nearly twenty-two years in prison for the arson—admitted her role in the arson after her ex-husband Frank Ambrose became a snitch (and still got nine years in prison!).

We haven’t heard of any support group or effort forming to support Waters, but we’d encourage folks to keep an eye the North American Earth Liberation Prisoners Support Network for more information.

For those who are learning about this action over ten years later, here is the original communiqué released by the Earth Liberation Front:

“The E.L.F. takes credit for a strike on the offices of Catherine Ives, Rm. 324 Agricultural Hall at Michigan State University on Dec. 31, 1999. The offices were doused with gasoline and set afire. This was done in response to the work being done to force developing nations in Asia, Latin America and Africa to switch from natural crop plants to genetically altered sweet potatoes, corn, bananas, and pineapples. Monsanto and USAID are major funders of the research and promotional work being done through Michigan State University. According to local newspapers, the fire cost $400,000 in damage. Cremate Monsanto, Long live the E.L.F. On to the next G.E. target!”