Date: 11-28-2019

Case Style:

Case Number: 2:19-cr-04031-BCW

Judge: Brian C. Wimes

Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri (Cole County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Michael S. Oliver

Defendant's Attorney:

Call 918-582-6422 for help finding a criminal defense lawyer in Jefferson City, Missouri for use of explosives to commit a felony or violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

Description: Jefferson City, MO - The United States of America charged Wesley Brian Kaster with maliciously using explosive materials to damage a building owned by an organization that receives federal financial assistance, and violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty to the arson at the Columbia Health Center (operated by Planned Parenthood Great Plains) on Feb. 10, 2019.

Wesley Brian Kaster, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps Jr. to one count of maliciously using explosive materials to damage a building owned by an organization that receives federal financial assistance, and one count of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Kaster has remained in federal custody without bond since his arrest on March 2, 2019.

By pleading guilty, Kaster admitted that he manufactured a Molotov cocktail on Feb. 10, 2019. On the same day, he broke the glass in the north entry door of the Columbia Health Center at 711 N. Providence Road and threw the Molotov cocktail into the facility. At approximately 4:10 a.m., the Columbia Fire Department arrived on the scene, investigated the damage caused by the explosive device, and collected evidence.

Kaster admitted that he took these actions because Planned Parenthood provided reproductive health services at the facility.

Under federal statutes, Kaster is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 21 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the FBI.

Charges:

18:844F.F PENALTIES - IF DEATH RESULTS
(1)
18:844H.F EXPLOSIVES USED IN COMMISSION OF FELONY
(1s)
18:844I.F PENALTIES - IF DEATH RESULTS
(2)
18:248B.F ACCESS TO CLINIC (PRIOR, 1ST OFF VIOLENT, SUB NON-VIOLENT)
(2s)

Outcome: 11/21/2019 24 WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by Wesley Brian Kaster.

Pursuant to the E-Government Act and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 49.1(a), access to this document is restricted to case participants and the Court.

(Geiser, Angel) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
11/21/2019 25 INFORMATION as to Wesley Brian Kaster (1) count(s) 1s, 2s. (Geiser, Angel) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
11/21/2019 26 Consent to Entry of Felony Plea Before Magistrate by Wesley Brian Kaster. (Geiser, Angel) Modified on 11/21/2019 to delete duplicate entry (Geiser, Angel). (Entered: 11/21/2019)
11/21/2019 27 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS on Plea of Guilty as to Wesley Brian Kaster Objections to R&R due by 12/5/2019 unless otherwise directed by the court.Signed on 11/21/2019 by Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr.(Price, Jackie) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
11/21/2019 28 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Wesley Brian Kaster.

Pursuant to the E-Government Act and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 49.1(a), access to this document is restricted to case participants and the Court.

(Price, Jackie) (Entered: 11/21/2019)
11/21/2019 29 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr: CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING as to Wesley Brian Kaster held on 11/21/2019. Court will enter a report and recommendation To order a transcript of this hearing please contact Jackie Price, 573-636-4015. (Price, Jackie) (Entered: 11/21/2019)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: