Thursday, October 20, 2005

Convicted teen's dad gets probation in deal

Clinton Twp. man pleads guilty to concealing stolen golf cart; he won't be charged with helping son's terror plot.

By Edward L. Cardenas / The Detroit News

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MOUNT CLEMENS -- The father of a teenager convicted of plotting a Columbine-style attack on his high school was sentenced to probation Wednesday after a plea deal that kept him from being charged as an accomplice in the terror plot.

Marvin Osantowski, 53, of Clinton Township pleaded guilty in August to receiving and concealing a stolen golf cart that prosecutors say came from the Fern Hill Golf and Country Club in Clinton Township, where Andrew Osantowski once worked.

In exchange, prosecutors dropped charges that Marvin Osantowski helped his son hide a cache of weapons, including an AK-47, bomb-making devices and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in the family home in Clinton Township.

Andrew Osantowski was sentenced in July to 4 1/2 years in prison for plotting the massacre of students last fall at Chippewa Valley High school.

Marvin Osantowski's attorney argued the father was unaware that his son had a stockpile of weapons and was unaware of the terrorism plot.

On Wednesday, Circuit Judge James Biernat Sr. sentenced Marvin Osantowski to 18 months' probation and ordered him to pay $1,636 in restitution to the country club.

Marvin Osantowski, a DaimlerChrysler employee with disabilities, said he accepted the plea deal to spare his family a trial on the weapons charges.

"To keep Andrew out of the news, I chose this route," Osantowski said. "Am I happy it took so long? No."

Marvin Osantowski's attorney, Robbie Lang, said his client "should have known" the golf cart was stolen. Land added that the proceedings lasted more than a year due to "legal maneuvering."

"His case was strung along," Lang said.

Biernat also modified Marvin Osantowksi's probation terms to allow him to visit his son in the Macomb Correctional Facility in Lenox Township.

You can reach Edward L. Cardenas at (586) 468-0529 or ecardenas@detnews.com.