Lawyers: Accused SC bomb plotter to plead guilty

Ryan Schallenberger stands in front of the judge April 21 at the Chesterfield County courthouse. Schallenberger was arrested April 19 and charged with making bomb threats. To Schallenberger’s right, is 4th Circuit Solicitor Jay Hodge, and newly appointed attorney William Spencer, to his left.

By: Jamie Rogers | SCNOW
Published: July 31, 2009

A Mount Croghan teen accused of plotting to blow up his high school is expected to enter a guilty plea in his federal case this month, according to court documents.

Lawyers in the case met before U.S. District Judge Bryan Harwell for a pre-trial conference Friday morning in the case of 19-year-old Ryan Schallenberger.

A change of plea hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday at the McMillan Federal Building in Florence.

Schallenberger was arrested April 19, 2008, after his parents intercepted a package addressed to containing 20 pounds of ammonium nitrate.

Investigators in the case allege the teen planned to blow up Chesterfield High School, where he was a senior at the time.

Schallenberger was charged in a three-count indictment with:

Receiving and attempting to receive an explosive with the knowledge and intent that it would be used to kill, injure or intimidate an individual, and damage and destroy a building, vehicle, or other real and personal property. If convicted of this charge, he faces a maximum possible prison term of 10 years.
Attempting to damage and destroy real property owned, possessed or leased to Chesterfield High School and the Chesterfield County School District, by means of fire and an explosive. This crime is punishable by a mandatory minimum prison term of five years and a maximum possible term of 20 years.
Possessing an unregistered destructive device. If convicted of this charge, he faces a maximum possible prison term of 10 years.

In March, Schallenberger’s attorneys federal public defenders, Mike Meetze and Bill Nettles, made known their intentions of using a insanity defense in case. Meetze wasn’t available for further comment Friday afternoon and Nettles couldn’t be reached for comment by press time Friday.

Schallenberger entered a not guilty plea in the case in June 2008. Since then, he’s undergone several psychiatric evaluations.

Investigators in the case said the teen told them he wanted to die, go to heaven and kill Jesus.

Deputies said they found hate-filled journals and evidence that Schallenberger had tested several explosives in the year before his arrests and made notes expressing which ones he liked.

Schallenberger also faces state charges in connection with the case.