Accused temple firebombers to be tried in fed court first

Sandra Chereb

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999 | 3:18 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - Five of six people accused in the attempted firebombing of a Reno synagogue will first face charges in federal court, where potential sentences exceed those in state court, a prosecutor said.

"That's what we intend to do," said Washoe County Assistant District Attorney John Helzer.

"After that is all done and the dust settles, we're exploring whether we can prosecute on state charges," he said.

Carl Barry DeAmicis, Daniel Austin McIntosh, Christopher Hampton, Joshua Andrew Kudlacek and Scott Cody Hudson were indicted by a federal grand jury for the Nov. 30 firebombing of the Temple Emanu-El Jewish Synagogue.

The makeshift bomb shattered but did not break through a window before it bounced onto the asphalt and the brick exterior of the building. Damage was minimal, though it was the third attack on the synagogue this year.

DeAmicis, 25, and McIntosh 19, were arrested last week in Sacramento and made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court here on Monday. They are scheduled to enter pleas during formal arraignment on Dec. 21.

Hampton, 22, Kudlacek, 18, and Hudson, 23, were arrested in Reno on Dec. 5. They were arraigned on state arson charges Monday, but are to make an initial appearance in federal court by the end of the week.

All five remain in custody at the Washoe County Jail.

Helzer said the main charge the suspects could face in state court is arson, which carries a potential prison term of two to 10 years.

Under the federal system, each could face a possible 30-year enhancement if convicted of using a destructive device during a violent crime, said Howard Zlotnick, assistant U.S. attorney in Las Vegas. In this case, the device was a Molotov cocktail.

The enhancement would be in addition to whatever penalties are imposed upon conviction for the other charges of making and possession of a destructive device, bombing and aiding and abetting.

A sixth defendant, Jonna Stewart, 17, is being held in juvenile detention because of her age.

Sue Edmondson, chief juvenile prosecutor for the Washoe County District Attorney's Office, said steps are being taken to have Stewart certified as an adult for prosecution in state court.