A federal judge ordered on Monday the release of the Minneapolis man arrested in connection to the 2004 break-in at Spence Labs at the UI.

Prosecutors claimed Scott DeMuth, 22, was a domestic terrorist who posed a danger to society and had the support needed to hide from authorities if released. But U.S. District Judge John Jarvey ruled the prosecutors failed to demonstrate DeMuth was a risk to society or a flight risk.

Prosecutors allege DeMuth conspired with others to commit animal-enterprise terrorism and cause economic damages to the animal enterprise. On Nov. 14, 2004, four masked individuals broke into Spence Labs and caused around $450,000 in damages. The Animal Liberation Front claimed credit for the break-in.

— by Regina Zilbermints