PHOENIX — A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a white supremacist to 40 years in prison for a 2004 bombing that wounded a black city official in suburban Phoenix.
A jury earlier this year found Dennis Mahon, 61, guilty of three federal charges stemming from the package bomb that injured Don Logan, who is black and was Scottsdale’s diversity director at the time, and hurt a secretary.
The jury stopped short of finding Mahon guilty of a hate crime after a six-week trial that included testimony from Logan and a female government informant.
In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge David Campbell said the bombing was an “act of domestic terrorism” that was done to promote an agenda of hate and racism.
Mahon, meanwhile, maintained his innocence, telling the judge: “I didn’t do this bombing.” He said he felt bad for the victims, “but I can’t apologize for something I didn’t do.”
Mahon had faced between seven and 100 years in prison. His twin brother, Daniel, also was accused in the case but was acquitted of the only charge he faced.
The package bomb detonated in Logan’s hands on Feb. 26, 2004, in a Scottsdale city building.
Prosecutors argued at trial that the Mahon brothers bombed Logan on behalf of a group called the White Aryan Resistance.
Defense attorneys said someone working for the city of Scottsdale was likely the perpetrator because Logan’s job made him unpopular.
Dennis Mahon was found guilty of conspiracy to damage buildings and property by means of explosives, malicious damage of a building by means of explosives, and distribution of information related to explosives.
Daniel Mahon was acquitted of conspiracy to damage buildings and property.
Front Section, Pages 2 on 05/23/2012