Judge Declares Mistrial in Bomb Case

The Associated Press/November 8, 2001

Sacramento, Calif. -- A federal judge declared a mistrial Wednesday after jurors said they were deadlocked on whether two militia members plotted to blow up two propane tanks to try to topple the federal government.

Jurors convicted Kevin Patterson, 44, of Camino, of possessing a destructive device. But they said they were split 11-1 on charges Patterson and Charles Kiles, 51, of Placerville, of planned to blow up the 12-million-gallon tanks in suburban Elk Grove.

Prosecutors contend the two hoped the explosion would create enough civil unrest to result in the toppling of the federal government.

A third man, Donald Rudolph, founder and former commander of the San Joaquin County Militia, pleaded guilty in January to concealing his knowledge of the plot and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Prosecutors said they plan to retry the case.