Arizona Woman Pleads Guilty to State Terrorism Charge

PHOENIX – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Michelle Marie Bastian pleaded guilty to Terrorism and Conspiracy to Commit Misconduct Involving Weapons. This is the second defendant convicted on state terrorism charges by the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

On May 1, 2016 and October 12, 2016, Michelle Bastian plotted to commit an act of terrorism at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Lewis where her husband, Thomas Bastian is currently an inmate. Bastian knowingly sent items to her husband to be used to construct and set off an explosive device within the prison facility. These items included instructions about how to make a homemade explosive device as well as terrorism propaganda and information in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria also known as ISIS or ISIL.

Thomas Bastian is currently awaiting trial. He is charged with 4 felony counts including Terrorism, Conspiracy to Commit Terrorism, Conspiracy to Commit Misconduct Involving Weapons, and Conspiracy to Promote Prison Contraband.

The Phoenix Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Arizona Department of Corrections, and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office investigated this case.

Michelle Bastian will be sentenced on July 14, 2017 at 1:30pm. She faces 8 1/2 to 10 years in prison along with being placed on lifetime probation.

AZAG Senior Litigation Counsel Blaine Gadow and Assistant Attorney General Scott Blake are prosecuting this case.

Full copy of the Plea Agreement.