Daniel G. McGowan
| Daniel G. McGowan | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
Daniel Gerard McGowan 1974 (age 42–43) Brooklyn, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Environmental and social justice activist |
| Criminal charge | Arson and conspiracy to commit arson |
| Criminal penalty | 7 years in prison, $1.9 million USD restitution |
| Criminal status | Released June 5, 2013 |
| Spouse(s) | Jennifer Synan |
| Conviction(s) | Pled guilty |
Daniel Gerard McGowan (born 1974) is an American environmental and social justice activist who was 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, the latter of which the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) claimed responsibility for. His arrest is part of what the US government has 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 enhancement was applied to his sentence, and McGowan was ultimately sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment. He was released on parole in June 2013.
McGowan was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Queens, New York City, and graduated from Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village. He has worked on many activist issues including military counter-recruitment, demonstrations against the Republican National Convention, the Really Really Free Market, and the support of prisoners such as Jeff Luers and others. McGowan was a graduate student earning a master's degree in acupuncture, and was an employee of WomensLaw.org, a nonprofit group that helps women in domestic abuse situations navigate the legal system.
On December 7, 2005, one of the largest arrests of environmental activists in American history began. Using the code name Operation Backfire, the FBI arrested six people. Chelsea Gerlach, William Rodgers, Kendall Tankersley, Kevin Tubbs, McGowan and Stanislas Meyerhoff were arrested for allegedly taking part in a wide variety of crimes, including arson and domestic terrorism. Meyerhoff agreed to be a federal cooperating witness almost immediately. On December 22, Rodgers was found dead in his cell in Flagstaff, Arizona, from an apparent suicide.
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