Tim DeChristopher has been found guilty of two felony counts for sabatoging a gas and oil lease auction in 2008. DeChristopher successfully bid on a dozen parcels that he never intended to pay for, in order to disrupt the process in protest of climate change.
After the verdict was read, DeChristopher’s supporters cried and broke into song outside the federal courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. He emerged from the building to hugs and cheers before giving a speech to the crowd.
“We will not be lied to and told ‘we are weak.’ We will not be divided, and we will not back down.” DeChristopher said as his supporters gathered around him holding banners and signs bearing the number 70, which was his auction paddle number during the gas and oil lease bidding.
“You have shown that your power will not be intimidated by any powder that they have.” DeChristopher cried out as he pointed to the federal court building. “And that’s the most important thing that has happened here this week.”
Supporters of Tim DeChristopher rallied outside the federal court for days until the verdict was read on Thursday, March 3rd. Beyond climate change as the issue for DeChristopher’s activism, the auction also involved parcels that if developed into drilling sites, would have ruined the landscape around some of Utah’s most beautiful country. These parcels threatened world-famous views; icons like Delicate Arch could have included a towering, metal drilling rig in the distance.
Federal prosecuters are happy with the jury’s guilty verdict, and U.S. Attorney Carlie Christensen said that DeChristopher’s stunt cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“He sabotaged a lawful auction. He falsely represented that he was a bidder when he was not.”
DeChristopher faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $750,000 when he’s sentenced on June 23rd. The U.S. Attorney’s office has said they will not be recommending the maximum sentence.
Here’s the news story from KUTV 2News Fields Moseley as it aired on Thursday, March 3rd.
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