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Not long ago, there was some discussion of whether Anson Chi, at that point the otherwise undistinguished author of a remarkably terrible novel (Yellow on the Outside Shame on the Inside: Asian Culture Revealed) really merited his own Wikipedia page. But then, in June 2012, he tried to blow up a natural gas main in Plano, effectively ending the discussion.
As recently as last month, he filed documents in federal court denying that he’d done anything of the sort, though a federal judge long ago determined there was enough evidence (bomb-making books; an expressed wish to be an “actual activist” instead of an “armchair” one; his father’s obvious fear of his son) to keep him in prison pending a trial. Meanwhile, the media pored over his trail of web postings, noting his disdain for federal income taxes, a kinship with the sovereign citizen movement, and his fondness for Ron Paul.
See also
Anson Chi, Accused of Trying to Blow Up a Plano Gas Main, Faces Even More Charges
Plano Bomb Suspect Guilty of Being a Terrible Writer
Now, Chi has changed his tune. He appeared in court today and pleaded guilty to possessing a homemade bomb and trying to blow up the pipeline. Under his agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the 34-year-old will serve 22 years in prison. In exchange, a third count against Chi — carrying a destructive device during a crime of violence — will be dismissed, according to the Morning News, which also noted that Chi “spoke clearly and articulately.” That sentence carried a minimum 30 years in prison.
