Gregory Arthur Weiler, Illinois man who plotted to firebomb dozens of church, moved to Federal Court
Gregory Arthur Weiler II, an Illinois man charged by authorities of plotting to firebomb dozens of churches with Molotov cocktails across Oklahoma will be tried in federal court, it was revealed on last week.
Gregory Arthur Weiler II
“He’s very sick,” said Joanne Meyers, Weiler’s aunt, according to the Associated Press. “We’re very concerned he even understands what’s happening to him.”
Weiler, age 24, now faces federal grand jury indictment, one count of possessing an unregistered, destructive device – a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, said Joseph F. Wilson, the criminal chief for the U.S. attorney’s office in the northern district of Oklahoma.
State charges against Weiler were dropped Wednesday after he was taken into federal custody, Ottawa County District Attorney Eddie Wyant said.
Authorities were tipped to the alleged plot after a maintenance man at the motel where Weiler was staying noticed a green duffel bag in a trash bin outside the building and found bottles with cloth wicks attached with duct tape inside. He also noticed an empty gas can in the bin.
Weiler appeared in federal court and pleaded not guilty through a federal public defender. Wilson said the court will issue an order scheduling future hearings.
