William Cottrell was sentenced to eight years in federal prison on conspiracy charges and ordered to pay $3.5 million in restitution.
10 Facts About William Cottrell
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William Cottrell competed on the school's Division III cross country team, where he was often called the "team genius".
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William Cottrell was arrested in March 2004 after law enforcement tracked him sending emails to the Los Angeles Times.
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William Cottrell was charged with conspiracy to commit arson, arson, and one count of using a destructive device during a crime of violence, in an October 24,2004 Federal grand jury indictment.
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William Cottrell's lawyers stated that he was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.
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However, Judge Gary Klausner would not allow a defense based upon the claim that William Cottrell had Asperger syndrome.
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At his trial, William Cottrell admitted being present, but denied involvement in throwing Molotov cocktails, saying Johnson was the mastermind.
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An informal network of William Cottrell supporters formed, led by the Earth Liberation Front Prisoner's Network and the Free Billy William Cottrell organization.
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William Cottrell was then transferred into another federal prison with less violent prisoners.
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William Cottrell was then able to study subjects that he was denied at the last prison and no longer had a roommate.