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 Two others accused in the case, Michael Walli and Greg
Boertje-Obed, were sentenced to 62 months in prison. The three were
convicted of cutting fences and entering the Y-12 National Security
Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in July 2012, embarrassing U.S.
officials and prompting security changes.
"(Rice) does not have the extensive criminal records the others
have. Her crimes are minimal in comparison to the others," U.S.
District Judge Amul Thapar said.
The three were also sentenced to three years of supervised release
after leaving prison and ordered to pay restitution for the damage
they caused.
Rice asked the judge not to take her age into consideration when
handing out the sentence.
"To remain in prison for the rest of my life would be the greatest
honor," the nun said in court. "I hope that happens."
Rice and the others admitted to spray painting peace slogans and
hammering on exterior walls of the facility. When a guard confronted
them, they offered him food and began singing.
The three were convicted by a federal jury last May of damaging
national defense premises under the sabotage act, which carries a
prison sentence of up to 20 years, and of causing more than $1,000
of damage to U.S. government property.
Prosecutors contended the break-in at the primary U.S. site for
processing and storage of enriched uranium disrupted operations,
endangered U.S. national security and caused physical damage.
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Dozens of supporters held a prayer vigil for the group outside the
courthouse.
Federal sentencing guidelines called for Rice to receive up to a
little more than seven years in prison; Walli, 65, more than nine
years; and Boertje-Obed, 58, more than eight years. The defendants
have been in custody since their convictions.
Prosecutors wanted sentences in line with federal guidelines while
defense attorneys called for lesser sentences, arguing the three
were "completely nonviolent".
Michele Naar-Obed, the wife of Boertje-Obed, said she considered the
sentence a victory because the judge could have imposed a much
longer prison term.
"The judge was really struggling with the difference between the
letter of the law and the spirit of the law," she said.
(Reporting by Melodi Erdogan and Jennifer Brake in Knoxville, Tenn;
writing by Jon Herskovitz; editing by Ken Wills)
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