FLORENCE – Former 19 year-old Chesterfield County High school student Ryan Schallenberger, faced U.S. District Judge Bryan Harwell last week during a change plea hearing that was held at the McMillan Federal Building in Florence, S.C.

Schallenberger of Mount Croghan, plead guilty to the federal charges against him of allegedly planning to blow up Chesterfield High School back in April 2008. He was arrested on April 19, 2008 after his parents discovered that a package addressed to Schallenberger arrived at the house, which authorities say contained 10-pounds of ammonium nitrate.

Schallenberger’s attorneys, Assistant Federal Public Defenders Michael Meetze and Bill Nettles said on Thursday that he entered the guilty plea in exchange for a ten-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center at Butner, N.C.

“U.S. District Judge Bryan Harwell has deferred the acceptance of the plea agreement until the U.S. Probation Office prepares an official pre-sentence report, said Nettles.” Nettles added that the plea agreement is pending the judge’s approval after the report is completed. He continued, “He must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence and providing the judge accepts his plea, he would also be on probation for three-years after his release of serving out his time.”

According to 2008 reports, Chesterfield Police Chief Randall Lear said, “Schallenberger seemed to hate the world.”

At the time of the incident, Principal Scott Radkin said, “He was one of the top students at Chesterfield High School, which has about 544 students in attendance and had not caused any serious problems before his arrest.” According to the school’s website, Schallenberger was listed as a member of the 2007 academic bowl squad. He also won an academic award from Newberry College.

Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker also said, “Without his parents calling, Chesterfield and Chesterfield High School would have suffered,” said Parker.

Chesterfield County Fourth Circuit Solicitor William Rogers said that Schallenberger could still be facing state charges in the case. Rogers commented on Thursday that he would know more about pressing the state charges after federal court completes their decision and proceedings in the case.

Nettles added that Schallenberger currently remains in the Chesterfield County Detention Center pending his sentencing and the case is in the pre-sentence phase at this time. _