Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

IRS bomb suspect tries for bargain

RENO -- One of two men indicted for lying to a federal grand jury is negotiating a plea bargain in the investigation of the failed bombing of the Internal Revenue Service office here, attorneys said.

Douglas County contractor George Brian Crockett was charged with two counts of making a false statement to the federal panel in the indictment handed up on Wednesday.

He appeared in court Monday along with Jerry Keenan, another Gardnerville man accused of lying to the grand jury.

Thomas O'Connell, an assistant U.S. attorney, said he had been working with Crockett's attorney, John Aebi, on a plea agreement, but Aebi had been out of town and nothing had been finalized.

"He thinks Mr. Crockett is going to want to cooperate with the government," O'Connell said of Aebi.

Keenan's trial, scheduled to begin today, was delayed to give both sides time to interview additional witnesses and now is set for Monday.

His attorney, Robert Walker, said Keenan is eager to put the trial behind him.

"To him, this is a very serious situation -- probably the worst thing that's ever happened in his life. He just wants to get it over with," he said.

Keenan and Crockett were friends and were at Keenan's Green Valley Nursery when Joseph Bailie, who is charged in the bombing attempt, allegedly told the gathering to watch the news the day before the device was left at the IRS.

Bailie, 40, and Ellis Hurst, 52, were charged in December with the actual bombing attempt. The two men had worked together at a building materials business in Gardnerville, 50 miles south of Reno.

Hurst pleaded guilty last month to charges of conspiracy, attempted destruction of a government building and use of a explosive device while committing a violent crime.

He could face more than 30 years in prison when sentenced on June 20. Bailie, who also previously worked for Crockett, is scheduled to stand trial June 3.

Keenan and Crockett are free on their own recognizance.

The bomb, contained in a 30-gallon white plastic drum and packed with 100 pounds of explosives, was found Dec. 18 by an IRS employee arriving for work.

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