King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng today announced the filing of criminal sabotage charges against nine members of an organized protest group for taking over a crane tower and shutting down a construction site in the Belltown neighborhood of downtown Seattle last month. Criminal sabotage is a felony.

The investigation by the Seattle Police Department revealed that the nine defendants are members of a highly organized team of paid protesters who traveled to Seattle from various parts of the United States and Canada.

In charging papers, prosecutors allege that on February 19 five of the defendants unlawfully entered the Swinterton Company construction site by cutting through a chain link fence and climbing to the top of a 240-foot crane tower. The five blocked a crane operator from entering the control compartment at the top of the tower, and then unfurled a banner to protest logging practices. The defendants said that the construction firm was not the target of the protest.

Court documents accuse the other four defendants of coordinating events on the ground and communicating by radio with the defendants on the crane tower. The four, who also handed out news releases, are accused of orchestrating an escape plan for the crane protesters.

Prosecutor Maleng and Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske held a news conference today to announce the charges.

“There is a proud tradition of protest and civil disobedience in American history. The exercise of free speech also carries the responsibility to respect the property and liberty of others,” Maleng said. “Protesters who decide to draw attention to their political message by trespassing on a public road or defacing public property will face consequences. This professional protest group took that idea one step further--shutting down not only a large section of downtown Seattle, but causing significant harm to the innocent construction company and its employees who were working at the private construction site,” Maleng added.

“The police department defends the right to free speech every day,” said Kerlikowske. “Depleting significant public resources, however, places others at risk and is a clear violation of the law.”

The defendants claim to represent a group called the Rainforest Action Network. Hillary Hosta, 31, Kate Woznow, 23, Melissa O'Neil-Wimer, 31, Kathleen Berrigan, 22, and Elizabeth Guy, 29, are charged with criminal sabotage for seizing control of the crane tower. Maurita Prato, 27, Jessica Markham, 26, Jennifer Krill, 31, and Brant Olson, 26, are charged with criminal sabotage for their alleged activities on the ground during the protest. They are charged as accomplices.

To prove criminal sabotage under state law, prosecutors must establish “that the person acted with the intent that they would interfere with, interrupt or obstruct the operation of any public or private business where a person is employed for a wage.” And second, “that the person unlawfully took or retained possession or control of any property or machine used in such business or enterprise.”

Criminal sabotage is a class “C” felony punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, although the standard range is up to one year in jail.

Seattle Police seized evidence from the protesters, including paycheck stubs and contracts for payment from the Rainforest Action Network. There were also notes that indicated that the February protest had been planned since December.

During the three-hour standoff, enormous public resources were spent responding to the crime scene. The Seattle Fire Department was alerted and sent a technical rescue team, a ladder truck and an aid car. Seattle Police diverted over 50 officers and equipment from other parts of the city to control public access to the scene and to be prepared for any emergency measures.

The construction company estimates its losses at $100,000 in delays and schedule changes. The company also paid for having the crane re-certified by state inspectors. Its employees lost combined wages in excess of $20,000.

All nine defendants are out of custody pending arraignment on March 25. Prosecutors will ask that the defendants be booked on $10,000 bail.

For more information, see: Crane Protesters: Statement of King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng