Man Indicted in Abortion Bomb Attempt Case

Man accused of plotting abortion clinic attack is indicted on weapons, explosive charges

Associated Press/June 21, 2006

Baltimore— A man accused of plotting to attack an abortion clinic with a pipe bomb and handgun was indicted Monday on weapons and explosives charges, the U.S. attorney's office said.

A federal grand jury indicted Robert Weiler, 25, on charges of possessing and making an unregistered destructive device, illegally possessing a firearm, and possessing a stolen firearm.

Weiler called the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on June 8 from a western Maryland highway rest stop to confess to the plan, according to court documents. He told authorities he had built a pipe bomb, stolen a handgun from a friend and planned to attack an abortion clinic in suburban Washington.

That morning, the pipe bomb exploded in a house belonging to a friend of Weiler as a bomb technician tried to defuse it. No one was hurt, but the bomb set fire to the house.

It was unclear Monday night whether Weiler had an attorney.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday.