Election Section

Protesters found guilty of trespassing at weapons plant

Staff
Friday June 21, 2002

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A federal jury Thursday convicted a Roman Catholic nun and two other protesters of trespassing at the Oak Ridge nuclear weapons plant during a “stop the bombs” demonstration. 

Elizabeth Ann Lentsch, who is known as Sister Mary Dennis, 65; Mary Elinor Adams, 61; and Timothy Joseph Mellon, 46, were arrested April 14 and charged with federal trespassing violations. 

The three had climbed over a metal barricade blocking an entrance at the Department of Energy site known as Y-12 about 20 miles west of Knoxville. 

Sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 20. The maximum penalty is a year in prison and $100,000 fine. 

The defendants and their attorneys declined to comment. The trial began Tuesday.