Four former Army soldiers and a civilian have been charged in new indictments for connections to an anti-government militia that authorities say was led by Fort Stewart troops who stockpiled weapons and talked of ultimately overthrowing the U.S. government.
A Liberty County grand jury indicted the five on charges of illegal gang activity and various counts involving theft, burglary and auto break-ins. Those crimes were committed to help fund the militia group, which called itself F.E.A.R., short for Forever Enduring Always Ready, District Attorney Tom Durden said Tuesday.
"The burglaries and entering autos, they were committed in an effort to fund F.E.A.R. and what F.E.A.R. was at least advocating they wanted to accomplish," said Durden, the top prosecutor for southeast Georgia's Atlantic Judicial Circuit. Their plans included bombing a Savannah park fountain and poisoning apple crops in the state of Washington, prosecutors say.
The new indictments Monday bring to 10 the total number of people charged in connection with the militia group.
I actually got a little info from one of my sources who did a little work with this case, and he said that it was in many ways very helpful to the case that these individuals were in the military, as it affords the Feds more leeway in doing their investigations. Apparently when you are in the military Uncle Sam calls the shots, and the rights that civilians take for granted are not always applicable to military personnel.
I also learned that the minute that the Feds knew about these guys they were under 24 hour surveillance and that there was never any real danger that they could pull off any of their schemes.
I felt a sense of relief at that news.
Hmm. I seem to remember that in April 2009, there was a Homeland Security Report that was leaked that spoke of veterans being recruited into right wing terrorist groups and Fox News and the Republicans went bat spit crazy. The DHS Secretary had to apologize for a report started before she took office. Last month, a ex-military member, now Neo-Nazi shot up the Sikh temple in Wisconsin. Now this in Georgia. How many other cases have there been? What is out there festering? I remember John Boehner spitting fire about the report. What say you now, Weepy O'Snooky?
ReplyDeleteGryph, I am surprised that you were unaware of the fact that the military is an entirely different world. The military operates under what is called (unless they have changed the name since I was in) UCMJ: Uniform Code Of Military justice.
ReplyDeleteIt's basically an entirely separate legal code under which you live while serving.
That is correct. When you are in the military, you are the *property* of the US Government, subject to their rules. That is the bottom line.
DeleteUnless things have changed, that is one of the first things we were told during the enlistment process.
Well thanks, GOP, for ginning up fear and anger at this President. How many militia groups have been arrested since 2009? I bet far more than under Bush. And still, Rom ney smirks about how Obama is unprepared and lacks leadership. Sorry, GOP, this President is cany and ready and doing a great job protecting us from our own military.
ReplyDeleteThe GOP thinks these groups are patriots, and would allow them to arm to the teeth.
Thanks for keeping up on this. Here is an interesting article linking the movie that caused the recent violence to domestic terrorists.
ReplyDeleteThe Men Behind ‘Innocence Of Muslims’ Revealed As Anti-Government Domestic Terrorists
The spokesperson for the movie is Steve Klein, the CEO of Courageous Christians United.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/09/12/innocence-of-muslims/
Yesterday, I finished reading A Lawyer's Journey: The Morris Dees Story. He is, if you're not familiar, the founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). The book tracked his life from his childhood as a poor white kid in Alabama in the 40's until he started prosecuting the Klan as a young lawyer fighting for justice for his black friends. He is still actively working against militant groups like this one with a vastly larger organization than in those early days. They rely on our support, and you couldn't back a better group than these dedicated fighters. So if you have any extra resources that you aren't sending to our favorite candidates, I suggest this would be a great place to put your money. I also highly recommend reading his book. I could hardly put it down.
ReplyDeleteLynn...thank you for the recommendation on the Morris Dees story! I met him years back in Fairbanks, Alaska. He gave a talk at UAF and I actually got to talk and shake his hand! Quite a good looking man too!
DeleteThanks for the book reference. I put it on my list to read later.
DeleteI know that whenever I eat a poisoned apple the first thought that comes to my mind is "the government is fucked up and I must take action."
ReplyDeleteI mean really, how do these dumbasses think that poisoning apples is either 1) going to make the government get it's shit together, or 2) going to make the people take action against the government? they just might be dumber than palin! might!
Gryphen the punishment is very necessary in those cases, because military records are very vital and primary records.
ReplyDelete