ATF rids Univ. of ninja threat (University of Georgia)

Red and Black ^ | 4-12-2006 | CAROLINE ERVIN

[Cagey]

ATF agents are always on alert for anything suspicious — including ninjas.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm agents, on campus Tuesday for Project Safe Neighborhoods training, detained a “suspicious individual” near the Georgia Center, University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said.

Jeremiah Ransom, a sophomore from Macon, was leaving a Wesley Foundation pirate vs. ninja event when he was detained.

After being held in investigative detention, he was found to have violated no criminal laws and was not arrested.

“It was surreal,” Ransom said. “I was jogging from Wesley to Snelling when I heard someone yell ‘freeze.’”

Ransom said he thought a friend was playing a joke before he realized officers had guns drawn and pointed at him.

ATF agents had noticed Ransom’s suspicious behavior and clothing and gave chase, apprehending him, Williamson said.

“Agents noticed someone wearing a bandanna across the face and acting in a somewhat suspicious manner, peeping around the corner,” said ATF special agent in charge Vanessa McLemore.

Ransom was wearing black sweatpants and an athletic T-shirt with one red bandanna covering the bottom half of his face and another covering the top of his head, Williamson said.

“Seeing someone with something across the face, from a federal standpoint — that’s not right,” McLemore said, explaining why agents believed something to be amiss.

Agents noticed Ransom peering around a corner and said when police sirens sounded, he took off running.

After chasing Ransom and identifying themselves, ATF agents detained him, turning him over once University Police arrived, McLemore said.

Ransom said Williamson told him the incident should not have been handled in such a manner and he would file a complaint with the ATF.

“I was in shock, to say the least,” Ransom said.

[Cagey]

This photo, taken by a student’s camera phone, shows ATF officials pinning down Jeremiah Ransom in front of Snelling dining hall. He was coming from a pirate vs. ninja event at the Wesley Foundation and was not arrested. (Kathleen Ruark | The Red & Black)

[theDentist]

Did they confiscate his sword?

[Supernatural]

Hooray for the ATF.

Maybe they will get a medal for this one.

[gaijin]

Seeing someone with something across the face, from a federal standpoint — that’s not right,”

Arrest Bill Clinton, then --his cheek features Hillary's hand across it often enough...

[2banana]

There must be alot of arrest on Halloween with all them Ninja Turtles running around...

[SquirrelKing]

He's lucky Chuck Norris wasn't called in.

[Cagey]

And notice that in the photo they have the kid handcuffed yet they still have to have the obligatory knee smashing the fact into the concrete maneuver.

[gaijin]

Has anyone ever heard of the ATF arresting an actual BAD GUY?

Do they do anything except burn people and harass everyday folks for infringing on arcane regulations?

[flying Elvis]

And why were no pirates arrested? This is clearly a case of racial profiling. And what is a pirates versus ninjas event anyway?

[Cagey]

fact=face

Or maybe, a smashed in face becomes a fact after the fact?

[thinkthenpost]

I wonder if all the ATF agents will turn in their Baklava's? (?sp)

[No.6]

They collect much data on law-abiding persons for later abuse, burning, and harassment.

[yarddog]

We can thank the NRA for going along with this "project safe neighborhoods" crap. Also President Bush and AG Gonzales, if that is how you spell his name.

All of our LEO's are turning into military organizations or TV cowboy wannabees.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Lookee at them wingtip jackboots.... whooowheee!


Thugs, pure and simple.

[yarddog]

We can thank the NRA for going along with this "project safe neighborhoods" crap. Also President Bush and AG Gonzales, if that is how you spell his name.

All of our LEO's are turning into military organizations or TV cowboy wannabees.

[absolootezer0]

yeah, right. seeing someone with something over their face is cause for suspicion now? isn't a face mask stadard issue for all atf/jbt "agents"?

[USNBandit]

“Seeing someone with something across the face, from a federal standpoint — that’s not right,”

Unless of course your are an illegal alien......

[Cagey]

LOL!

Pirates are the good guys in Puffy Shirts.

[Supernatural]

I did notice that.

Maybe the kid will get lucky, file a lawsuit and the picture can be used as evidence of brutality...if the government judge doesn't throw the case out of court.

I know, wishful thinking...

[dfwgator]

Arrr Arrr!!!!

[John Jorsett]

He should have kept running. Those guys don't look like they could have caught anyone in a foot race.

[absolootezer0]

oh.. its too bad it wasn't a muslim woman in a burkha.. atf might actually get in trouble for screwing up.

[beltfed308]

After being held in investigative detention, he was found to have violated no criminal laws and was not arrested.

WTF???? New double speak.

[vollmond]

The kid was lucky to get out alive and relatively unbruised.

[FReepaholic]

Gotta love the BATF.

Take a moment to picture this...

[yarddog]

That is an unusual double post for me. I dropped my mouse and somehow this got posted, then when I hit post it did it again.

[gondramB]

IF, this story is accurate. And if that picture is real then the agents should be in jail.

[Cagey]

Great post.

[USNBandit]

Hey officers, please let him go. He's with us.

[subterfuge]

probably missed the bus to the latest protest "event."

[gaijin]

The agent weights close to 200 pounds, and his outstretched leg is supporting almost NONE of his bodyweight. That means the boy's NECK is supporting close to 165 pounds of straigth-down pressure.

I believe this boy has sustained an expensive neck injury.

[Joe 6-pack]

"And why were no pirates arrested?"

The feds only get involved if at least half the face is covered. Eye patches are usually looked upon as a matter for the local boys.

[Rodney King]

What the hell is a priate vs. ninja event?

[American_Centurion]

Thug pigs! Plain and simple. Suspicious?

Should be a law against being a cop while stupid.

[Joe 6-pack]

Any professional would know that real ninja's don't have racing stripes down the side of their sweat pants.

[Liberal Classic]

Keeping America safe from ninjas!

[flying Elvis]

True, and peglegs and shoulder perching parrots aren't conducive to jogging.

[Al Gator]

Bureau of Atrocity, Terror, Fascism.

Truly Armed and Truly Dangerous.

[Tijeras_Slim]

It's apparently akin to Chuck Norris vs. Jack Bauer stuff... who's tougher, etc... There's websites on google, but my work firewall filters "tasteless." :)

[mysterio]

Your papers, please, citizen.

[radiohead]

And notice that in the photo they have the kid handcuffed yet they still have to have the obligatory knee smashing the fact into the concrete maneuver.

That's the special treatment for white folks. If he was black, he'd be dead.
not quite /sarc

What is with the ATF? Someone, from a college campus no less, calls about someone weird walking around and they pull this stuff? I'm all for securing the nation and all, but it gets harder to be pro-LEO.

[holymoly]

“Seeing someone with something across the face, from a federal standpoint — that’s not right,”

Really? What about the ATF thugs, who routinely hide their faces?

[Cagey]

Hahahahaha!

You have a Keen Eye for the Ninja Guy.

[MortMan]

One wears the balaclava. One eats the baklava, BTW.

That one was good for a chuckle.

[DarkSavant]

Yup, me too. Seems your company has the same firewall software ours does.

[Joe 6-pack]

"You have a Keen Eye for the Ninja Guy."

LOL....I guess since they snuffed out all the Davidians, the ATF is rounding up the last of the Heaven's Gate folks....

enter>

[Tijeras_Slim]

Websense... the killer of fun.

[Billthedrill]

Arrr...he be lookin' like a suspicious character to me, mate! Keelhaul him! Not that oi've a vested interest in the matter, y'see...

[<1/1,000,000th%]

At least they didn't nerve gas him, then shoot him.