Federal Jury Finds Dennis Mahon Guilty in Scottsdale Bombing Case

PHOENIX – Dennis Mahon, 61, of Davis Junction, Ill., was found guilty of the 2004 bombing of the City of Scottsdale Office of Diversity and Dialogue, and the injury to Donald Logan and other victims. Specifically, a federal jury in Phoenix found Dennis Mahon guilty of Conspiracy to Damage Buildings and Property by Means of Explosive, Malicious Damage of a Building by Means of Explosive, and Distribution of Information Related to Explosives. Daniel Mahon was found not guilty as charged in Count One of the superseding indictment. The case was tried before U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell. The defendant is being held after trial. Sentencing is set before Judge Campbell on May 22, 2012.

“I commend ATF, the Postal Inspection Service, and the Scottsdale Police Department for their dedication and perseverance throughout the course of this investigation and prosecution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ann Birmingham Scheel. “I also commend our prosecution team for their tremendous efforts in securing today’s conviction. Crimes motivated by bias and hatred continue to be a reality in our culture. This case shows that we will do all within our power to work with our law enforcement partners not only to prevent hate crimes, but also to vigorously prosecute those who commit them.”

“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) is committed to aggressively pursuing hate-fueled acts of violence,” said Thomas Atteberry, ATF Special Agent in Charge. “Today’s verdict makes clear that such acts of violence will not be tolerated by the good people of Arizona. I commend the tenacity of the ATF agents that led this investigation for eight years, culminating in a verdict of guilt upon Dennis Mahon. We will continue to use every tool in our arsenal to put criminal hatemongers on notice – no matter how long it takes – they are not beyond our reach. I want to especially thank the leadership of the US Attorney’s Office and recognize the cooperative efforts of our investigative partners; the United States Postal Service and the Scottsdale Police Department.”

“The guilty verdict handed down today by the jury brings to close a long, thorough investigation into a vicious crime,” said Pete Zegarac, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Phoenix Division. “The parcel bomb was meant to cause harm and destruction to its victims, but it ultimately brought destruction to Dennis Mahon. The collaborative investigation between Postal Inspectors, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Scottsdale Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office has ensured that Dennis Mahon will no longer be free to send bombs to others.”

The evidence at trial showed that a bomb detonated at the City of Scottsdale Office of Diversity and Dialogue on February 26, 2004, causing injury to Donald Logan, Renita Linyard, and others. The evidence also showed that Dennis Mahon had specific knowledge of how the bomb, addressed to Donald Logan, was constructed. The evidence further showed that Dennis Mahon conspired with other individuals on behalf of the White Aryan Resistance to promote racial violence.

A conviction for Counts One and Two carries a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for Count Three carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment. In determining an actual sentence, Judge Campbell will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the United States Postal Service; and the Scottsdale Police Department. The prosecution was handled by John Boyle and Michael Morrissey, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.