08/13/2008

Associated Press

A federal appeals court upheld a sentence of nearly four years for Kendell Tankersley, part of a 1996-2991 multistate arson spree directed at U.S. Forest Service offices and private businesses.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday the sentence was reasonable despite her lesser level of involvement than some.

She and about 15 co-defendants were members of the Earth Liberation Front and a Eugene-based group called "The Family."

Tankersley, then 28 and preparing for medical school, pleaded guilty in 2006 to charges including conspiracy to commit arson from 1996 through 2001.

The court also rejected sentence appeals of co-defendants Kevin Tubbs, sentenced to more than 12 years, and Jonathan Paul, sentenced to more than 4 years.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com