For Immediate Release Contact: Tracy Hite (415) 744-7001 or (415) 469-3245 Date: February 10, 1998 SERIAL ABORTION CLINIC ARSONIST PLEADS GUILTY Sacramento--The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the United States Attorney's Office announce the guilty plea of Richard T. Andrews for multiple counts of arson. Andrews terrorized abortion clinics and providers in California, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming for a period lasting four years. Andrews plead guilty to setting eight fires at seven clinics. As a result of Andrews’ four-year rampage, clinic facilities suffered total losses in excess of $1 million. ATF Special Agents identified similarities in the incidents that occurred between January 18, 1992 and September 18, 1995. ATF’s investigation lead to Andrews, well-known as a leader in protest blockades and anti-abortion activity in the early 1980's. Andrews was apprehended on June 26, 1996, by the Vancouver, Washington City Police Department after officers stopped him for negligent driving. ATF Assistant Director Patrick D. Hynes said, " The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms remains committed to pursuing anyone who would violate federal firearms and/or explosives laws and risk injuring or killing others in furtherance of a cause." ATF applauds the teamwork of its Special Agents and Forensic Chemists; the United States Attorney's Offices in the Eastern District of California, District of Montana, District of Idaho, District of Wyoming, and the Eastern District of Washington; the police and fire departments in Redding and Chico, California; Helena, Kalispell and Missoula, Montana; Boise, Idaho; Jackson, Wyoming; and Wanatchee and Vancouver, Washington Police Departments; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For more information about ATF's efforts in the investigation of arson and explosives incidents against abortion clinics and reproductive service providers, please see the ATF web site at www.atf.treas.gov.