The FBI announced today that law-enforcement officers have arrested four people who are suspected of terrorizing University of California researchers. According to an FBI press release, the arrests stem from incidents targeting UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz researchers.
A complaint filed in federal court in San Francisco on Thursday alleged Adriana Stumpo, 23, of Long Beach, California; Nathan Pope, 26, of Oceanside, California; Joseph Buddenberg, 25, of Berkeley, California; and Maryam Khajavi, 20, of Pinole, California used force, violence, or threats to interfere with the operation of the University of California in violation of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.
"We are extremely grateful for the efforts of federal law enforcement officials, the Santa Cruz Police Department, and other organizations that have been involved in this ongoing investigation," said Steve Thorsett, dean of Physical and Biological Sciences at UCSC. "Our students, staff, and faculty - who are doing important research into the causes and cures for human diseases such as cancer and Parkinson's - deserve to work and live in a safe environment, without fear that they and their families will be targets of violent actions and threats."
