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September 1, 2006

Gang members sentenced in packed federal courtroom

PROVIDENCE -- Two gang members were sentenced to prison today for their part in a planting a bomb in Cranston last year that blew up in a woman's face.

The U.S. Attorney's Office will hold a press conference today at 3 p.m. to discuss the sentence and the scene this morning at the hearing.

According to Thomas Connell, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney.
Apparently, the courtroom was full of gang members as federal Judge William E. Smith imposed a sentence.

Bobby Soundara, 20, of 13 Richter St., Providence, previously admitted throwing a pipe bomb through the window of a rival gang member. Vanhhatdy Souvaunaxab, 19, of Providence's Wanskuck neighborhood, admitted building the pipe bomb and three others like it. He used fireworks from New Hampshire, a discarded metal pipe, and a hot-glue gun.

Their apparent target, Samnang Tep, was not home. His mother, Tha-Sean Tep, 46, picked up the bomb right before it exploded. She lost an eye.

The authorities say Samnang Tep is a member of the Young Bloods gang. He denies it.

Soundara was sentenced to 10 years in prison today; Souvaunaxab received seven and a half years. The two men had pleaded guilty to possession of a pipe bomb and malicious damage to a building resulting in personal injury.

The judge and prosecutor used the opportunity to reach out to the gang members, Connell said.

More details to come...

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 1:18 PM | Permalink

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