Schallenberger indicted by federal grand jury

The Chesterfield High School senior accused of planning a suicide bombing at the school has been formally indicted by a federal grand jury.

Ryan Anthony Schallenberger, 18, of Mount Croghan was arrested April 19 and charged Tuesday 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.

Initially, Schallenberger faced federal charges of attempting to use explosives on a building that gets federal funding; using interstate commerce to obtain explosives to be used against people and property; and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, which carries a possible life sentence.

But acting U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald said in a press release that the weapon of mass destruction charge wasn’t presented to the grand jury for its consideration.

“Having considered the circumstances of this matter, and having reviewed the evidence obtained to date, I believe the case is properly charged,” McDonald said in the release issued early Tuesday evening. “The explosives charges that were issued by the grand jury today are very serious charges.”

Schallenberger’s arraignment is tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. June 10 at the McMillan Federal Building in Florence. 

A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent previously testified in a federal court hearing that Schallenberger told deputies during an interview all he wanted to do is die, go to heaven and, when he got there, kill Jesus.

Authorities have said Schallenberger’s parents called police because he had ordered ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer used as in the deadly Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. After authorities were alerted, deputies searched Schallenberger’s home and seized several items, including a hate-filled journal lauding the Columbine killers and an audiotape he left to be played after his death.

Schallenberger also is charged by the state with possession of incendiary devices, Hodge said. If convicted, he faces two to 15 years in prison.

U.S. Magistrate Thomas E. Rogers has not said whether he will uphold or overturn his April 30 decision to have Schallenberger evaluated by a psychiatrist in a federal facility.