Anti-Abortion Extremist Convicted on Firearms Charges
Former fugitive Clayton Lee Waagner was convicted yesterday on six counts of firearms and car theft charges, adding to previous convictions on weapons, theft, and escape charges. Waagner, who has made numerous threats on the lives of abortion providers, now awaits charges from federal authorities related to more than 500 anthrax threats he sent to reproductive health care facilities in October and November 2001. At the trial, Waagner, who defended himself, testified that he had indeed sent the anthrax threat letters to clinics nationwide. Authorities are expected to bring Waagner to Philadelphia for questioning related to the anthrax scare. Waagner has not yet been charged for those crimes.
Before this latest conviction, Waagner was sentenced to 30 years in prison for escaping from an Illinois jail last year where he was awaiting sentencing on weapons and stolen vehicle charges. Waagner may now face 15 years to life without parole as well as fines of up to $250,000 on each count against him.
Media Resources: Associated Press, 4/18/02; Feminist Majority Foundation
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