Ryan Schallenberger in court after his April 2008 arrest
(Updated 5:35pm Wednesday)
Wednesday afternoon, 19-year-old Ryan Schallenberger pleaded guilty to two federal explosives charges in connection with the plot to blow up Chesterfield High School.
Under the plea deal, Ryan Schallenberger pleaded guilty to receiving and Bomattempting to receive an explosive and attempting to damage and destroy real property by explosive.
If the court agrees, he'll spend 10 years in prison instead of the 30 he faced.
Schallenberger was expected to stand trial later this month, but instead, signed a plea agreement with federal prosecutors Wednesday. His attorneys say Schallenberger was nervous and anxious about the plea.
Bill Nettles, IV, said, "He's sorry it took place. He's extremely sorry for any problems he's caused in the community, that he might have scared anybody."
Last April, Schallenberger planned to carry out an attack at Chesterfield High School, where he was a senior.
Federal prosecutors say he compared himself to the two Columbine killers in his journal and wrote that he'd kill nearly all mankind, executing anyone, who he deemed unfit.
US Attorney Rosemary Parham said, "It's sick. On the one hand, you have a horrendous plan and he carried through on several things to make it go into effect."
He ordered 20 pounds of ammonium nitrate and had it delivered to his home. His parents intercepted that package, called police, and deputies arrested the 19 year old.
Shallenberger's attorney says he suffers from a mental illness, obsessive compulsive disorder and that he's changed over the last year.
Under the plea agreement, it's recommended that Schallenberger spend 10 years in federal medical prison, where he could continue getting help for his mental illness.
Police and prosecutors think his suggested sentence is the right one.
Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker said, "His sentence I think is very good for what he received. I think it's a great day for the justice system."
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop a charge of possessing an unregistered destructive device.
Schallenberger still faces state charges in connection with the plot to blow up his school.
