Man To Be Sentenced In Bookstore Arson Case

DENVER (AP) — A man accused of breaking into a suburban Denver bookstore and planting three homemade bombs is expected to be sentenced on federal charges.

The Denver Post reports that David Lawless is scheduled for sentencing in federal court Thursday. He faces a minimum of 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to use of a destructive device during a crime of violence.

Authorities say Lawless forced his way into a Borders bookstore and planted two crude bombs fashioned from propane tanks in June 2011. One exploded, causing little damage. A third propane tank device planted outside the store failed to ignite.

According to a plea deal, Lawless also confessed to planting a similar device at a Denver restaurant the day before.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)