Daniel G. McGowan
Daniel G. McGowan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Daniel Gerard McGowan 1974 (age 50–51) |
| Occupation(s) | Environmental and social justice activist |
| Criminal status | Released June 5, 2013 |
| Spouse | Jennifer Synan (divorced 2015) |
| Conviction | Pled guilty |
| Criminal charge | Arson and conspiracy to commit arson |
| Penalty | 7 years in prison, $1.9 million restitution |
Daniel Gerard McGowan (born 1974) is an American environmental activist, formerly associated with the Earth Liberation Front. The U.S. government considers him a domestic terrorist, having been arrested and charged in federal court on multiple counts of arson and conspiracy, relating to the arson of Superior Lumber company in Glendale, Oregon, on January 2, 2001, and Jefferson Poplar Farms in Clatskanie, Oregon, on May 21, 2001. His arrest is part of what the FBI dubbed Operation Backfire.
McGowan was facing a minimum of life in prison if convicted when he accepted a non-cooperation plea agreement, pleading guilty on November 9, 2006. A "terrorism" label was applied to his sentence, and McGowan was ultimately sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment. He was released on probation in June 2013.