A federal judge has ordered the trial of a Mount Croghan teen accused of plotting to bomb Chesterfield High School to began in August, according to court documents filed Friday.
The trial of 18-year-old Ryan Schallenberger was slated to begin in May but additional time is needed to prepare the case for trial, U.S. District Court Judge Bryan Harwell said.
Public defenders Bill Nettles and Mike Meetze, who are representing Ryan Schallenberger, have given notice of intent to rely upon the insanity defense and have consented to their client undergoing a mental evaluation.
The evaluation could take up to 45 days and a report on the procedure would need to be prepared, Harwell said.
The report likely wouldn’t be ready by May, and the lawyers in the case have indicated they will need ample time to review the findings of the evaluation, he said.
Jury selection is scheduled to began Aug. 13, with the trial expected start Aug. 17, according to court documents.
Schallenberger’s parents received a notice in the mail about a package April 19, retrieved it from the post office and discovered it contained 20 pounds of explosives.
Authorities allege the teenager planned to blow up Chesterfield High School, where he was a senior.
Schallenberger was arrested April 19 and 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.
Because of the publicity surrounding the case, U.S. Chief District Court Judge David C. Norton ordered state-wide jury panel for Schallenberger’s trial.
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