Arrest Made In Bomb Left At Texas Clinic Where Abortions Are Performed

Friday, April 27th 2007, 7:26 pm

By: News On 6

AAUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a makeshift bomb that was found outside a clinic where abortions are performed, authorities said Friday.

Paul Ross Evans has been charged with use of weapons of mass destruction, manufacture of explosive material and violating freedom of access to clinic entrances, according to a statement issued by the Austin Police Department.

``We've got an ongoing investigation into him and all of his particulars,'' said Erik Vasys, a spokesman for the FBI. Evans was on parole for a burglary conviction, authorities said.

The bomb was discovered Wednesday, and authorities had asked area abortion providers to be vigilant after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week that banned a type of late-term abortion.

The bomb was found in a bag in the parking lot of the Austin Women's Health Center. After an employee found the package, a bomb squad detonated the device.

It contained an explosive powder and two pounds of nails, said David Carter, assistant police chief.

Had the bomb detonated, it could have injured people 100 feet away, police said.

The discovery led to a brief evacuation of the area, and nearby Interstate 35 was shut down.

Evans is in federal custody and being held without bond. He could face up to life in prison if convicted on the weapons of mass destruction charge, Vasys said.

It wasn't revealed how Evans was identified as a suspect, although authorities said they were using tapes from surveillance cameras to try to solve the case.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press. Evans had an attorney appointed for him, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Information on his attorney wasn't immediately available.