Eugene, Ore. - White Supremacist Sentenced for Attack on Synagogue

Eugene, Ore. - A man federal prosecutors described as a white supremacist has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for an attack on a Eugene synagogue.

Gerald Poundstone, 28, pleaded guilty to civil rights charges and intentionally damaging religious property. The sentence handed down took into account the fact the incident was a hate crime and that Poundstone twice obstructed justice, once by threatening a witness, according to court records.
Poundstone said nothing during the brief hearing before U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan. Poundstone and other avowed white supremacists were accused of throwing rocks engraved with swastikas at a synagogue during a religious service on Oct. 25, 2002.

The stones shattered stained glass windows, but injured none of the 80 people inside.
In a statement to the judge, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bud Fitzgerald indicated that the government had made a deal with Poundstone. Fitzgerald and Poundstone's defense lawyer, Kelly Beckley, said the documents detailing the plea agreement are being kept secret out of concern for Poundstone's safety.
As part of the deal, Poundstone must serve three years of post-prison supervision during which he is forbidden from possessing publications or materials related to white supremacism, and from having contact with white supremacists. He also must pay $896 for the windows damaged for Beth Israel Synagogue.