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Arrests Made After Explosives Recovery - "The Free Militia"
U.S. Newswire on Yahoo ^ | 4/26/07 | BATF

Posted on 04/26/2007 7:00:18 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This morning in DeKalb, Marshall and Jefferson Counties, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the execution of four federal search warrants at the homes of members of a group called "The Free Militia." During the search warrants, ATF, along with state and local law enforcement recovered 130 grenades, an improvised rocket launcher with live rounds, a grenade launcher, a machine gun, a short barreled shot-gun, two silencers, numerous other firearms, 2500 rounds of ammunition, explosive components, approximately 70 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), and commercial fireworks. Also recovered was enough ammunition to fill a U-Haul trailer, and over 120 Marijuana plants. While executing the search warrants, officers encountered booby traps at one location.

"Deadly explosives have been removed from these communities due to outstanding investigative efforts," stated Alice H. Martin, United States Attorney. "All evidence developed will be presented quickly to a federal grand jury. We will also ask that those arrested be detained without bond."

"Today's arrest and search warrants have been significant due to the success of the combined efforts by ATF, as well as our state, local and federal partners," stated James Cavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "The communities in the area are a lot safer, considering the fact that large quantities of live grenades and other explosive materials have been safely removed. Excellent investigative team work led us to this point in our investigation."

Those arrested today include:

RAYMOND KIRK DILLARD, a/k/a JEFF OSBORNE, 46, of Collinsville (DeKalb County), Alabama;

ADAM LYNN CUNNINGHAM, 41, of Collinsville (DeKalb County), Alabama;

BONNELL HUGHES a/k/a BUSTER HUGHES, 57, of Crossville, (Marshall County) Alabama;

MICHAEL WAYNE BOBO, 30, of Trussville (Jefferson County), Alabama;

RANDALL GARRETT COLE, 22, of Gadsden (Etowah County), Alabama;

JAMES RAY MCELROY, 20, of Collinsville (Etowah County), Alabama.

The criminal complaint charges those arrested with conspiracy to make a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. Michael Wayne Bobo was charged with being a drug user in possession of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

All the defendants appeared in U.S. District Court for an initial appearance. They will remain in Federal custody and are scheduled to appear for Detention Hearings on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at 1:30 pm before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court. An indictment has not been filed at this time; additional charges are likely.

"Governor Riley and I are pleased this operation was successful," said Alabama Homeland Security Director Jim Walker.

"The U.S. Marshal Service, particularly in the Northern District, has enjoyed an excellent relationship with ATF," stated U.S. Marshal Martin Keely. "We were pleased that we could contribute to the success of the operation."

This investigation involved numerous federal, state and local law enforcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the lead agency assisted by the Bomb Squads from Huntsville Police Department, Jefferson County, and Gadsden County Sheriffs' Departments and Alabama Department of Public Safety Bomb Squad who worked with ATF Bomb Techs in securing the IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices). Other Agencies include, The U.S. Marshal Service, The Alabama State Fire Marshals, The Alabama Bureau of Investigation, and the Sheriff's Offices and District Attorneys' Offices of DeKalb, Etowah, Marshall, and Jefferson Counties.

Members of the public are reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; US: Alabama
KEYWORDS: arrests; batf; explosives; freemilitia; recovery
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1 posted on 04/26/2007 7:00:19 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: NormsRevenge

These fellas are in for it ...


2 posted on 04/26/2007 7:07:22 PM PDT by Ken522
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To: NormsRevenge

Not a word on why these people formed a militia.


3 posted on 04/26/2007 7:07:54 PM PDT by Irish Rose (Will work for chocolate.)
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To: NormsRevenge
...2500 rounds of ammunition, ... Also recovered was enough ammunition to fill a U-Haul trailer,

So how much was it? 2500 rounds, or enough to fill a U-Haul trailer?

And how big a U-Haul trailer? ... they run from fairly small to very big.

4 posted on 04/26/2007 7:10:25 PM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: NormsRevenge

Tater Salad, however, remains at large.


5 posted on 04/26/2007 7:10:53 PM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: NormsRevenge

[QUOTE]...2500 rounds of ammunition, explosive components, approximately 70 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), and commercial fireworks. Also recovered was enough ammunition to fill a U-Haul trailer, and over 120 Marijuana plants....[/QUOTE]

Not clear how much ammunition was taken. 2500 rounds would not fill a UHaul.

120 maryjane plants, dumbasses are in for it now.


6 posted on 04/26/2007 7:13:30 PM PDT by Southern Partisan ("Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less." ----R. E. Lee)
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To: Southern Partisan

I would guess we won’t see them again.


7 posted on 04/26/2007 7:17:47 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
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To: Irish Rose

From the Birmingham News....

Collinsville man with militia ties taken into custody
Posted by sstewart April 26, 2007 3:25 PM
A man taken into custody earlier today by federal authorities in Collinsville in connection with a federal raid on a militia group had told neighbors of his dislike of the federal government.

“He said the government is going to fall apart and his group is going to be prepared to take over,” said Joanne Gunnin.

Gunnin said she allowed the man she knew as Jeff Osborne to live on her property in a camper that is painted in camouflage green and covered in camouflage netting. The property is on U.S. 11 in the southern section of Collinsville in DeKalb County.

Piles of military-like knapsacks, duffel bags and a crate of olive green canteens were scattered around the campsite. The man had no running water or electricity in the camper and used a makeshift lavatory outside.

Gunnin said Osborne was supposed to be there temporarily, and had been on the property about two years.

Osborne would not tell her the name of his group, but she knew three or four men had joined.

She said that Osborne gave out uniforms to those who joined the group. He also sold some of the uniforms that were kept in her garage in a large plastic box.

“He always said that Hispanics need to leave,” Gunnin said. Collinsville has a large Hispanic population.

“I had no idea they were investigating this guy,” she said.

also....

Militias are self-styled citizen groups that form to protect individual rights and prepare for a possible revolution against government tyranny. Their enemy is Uncle Sam, particularly the FBI and ATF, which they see as the reincarnation of Hitler’s Gestapo.

There was a strong militia movement in Alabama and nationwide in the 1990s, as the groups rallied after the 1993 bloody siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas and the 1992 shoot-out in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, between former Green Beret Randy Weaver and federal agents.

Federal authorities said there has been little militia activity here in recent years.

Carol Robinson

not sure where Carol Robinson gets these facts; reads more like opinion.


8 posted on 04/26/2007 7:23:49 PM PDT by Southern Partisan ("Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less." ----R. E. Lee)
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To: Southern Partisan

Militias are self-styled citizen groups that form to protect individual rights and prepare for a possible revolution against government tyranny. Their enemy is Uncle Sam, particularly the FBI and ATF, which they see as the reincarnation of Hitler’s Gestapo.

There was a strong militia movement in Alabama and nationwide in the 1990s, as the groups rallied after the 1993 bloody siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas and the 1992 shoot-out in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, between former Green Beret Randy Weaver and federal agents.

Federal authorities said there has been little militia activity here in recent years.


agreed, just a wee bit slanted , perhaps... altho the survivors and Branch Davidians of Ruby Ridge might say otherwise


9 posted on 04/26/2007 7:30:28 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... In FReeP We Trust ...)
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To: Ken522

>> BONNELL HUGHES a/k/a BUSTER HUGHES, 57, of Crossville, (Marshall County) Alabama;

Hmmm... a boy named Sue. My stepmom was Bonnell.

I kinda see why Buster was pissed at the world!


10 posted on 04/26/2007 7:30:37 PM PDT by Nervous Tick
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To: TigersEye

ping


11 posted on 04/26/2007 7:34:06 PM PDT by pandoraou812 ( zero tolerance to the will of Allah ...... dilligaf? with an efg.....)
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To: NormsRevenge
MICHAEL WAYNE BOBO, JAMES RAY MCELROY

With middle names of Wayne and Ray they have to be guilty.

12 posted on 04/26/2007 7:37:00 PM PDT by razorback-bert (Posted by Time's Man of the Year)
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To: NormsRevenge
Somebody bragged.

Somebody always does.

And the marijuana didn't help.Probably the marijuana sparked the whole investigation.

Living in,driving,and wearing camouflage while not in the employ of the government also draws attention.

13 posted on 04/26/2007 7:38:45 PM PDT by hoosierham (Waddaya mean Freedom isn't free ?;will you take a creditcard?)
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To: Irish Rose
Not a word on why these people formed a militia.

Good ol' boys need a reason to form a militia? As if...!

Drink beer. Smoke weed. Blow sh!t up!


14 posted on 04/26/2007 7:41:08 PM PDT by Nervous Tick
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To: Southern Partisan

Somebody had better have a Class III license for these

“130 grenades”
“an improvised rocket launcher with live rounds,”
“a grenade launcher,”
“a machine gun,”
“a short barreled shot-gun,”
“two silencers,”

This here stuff, hmmmm, I think they’re in deep doo doo!

“and over 120 Marijuana plants”


15 posted on 04/26/2007 7:43:38 PM PDT by B4Ranch ("Steer clear of entangling alliances with any portion of the foreign world." -George Washington-)
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To: NormsRevenge

No women were shot in the back of the head while fleeing? No pets were shot? No children were set on fire? Sounds like a botched raid to me. The ATF thugs are losing their touch.


16 posted on 04/26/2007 7:45:40 PM PDT by Sir Gawain
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To: Irish Rose
They have a website...they claim to be laying the groundwork for a militia to respond to any needs to protect the constitution. How that results in planting bombs is less clear from their website...but they do have a serious focus on military structure, cell organizations and secrecy. Although it’s very likely that the MSM will paint them as religious fanatics I saw nothing to support that...although they had 1 scripture referenced, but it was utilized to support a hierarchical structure, not as an organizing principle.
17 posted on 04/26/2007 7:49:39 PM PDT by highlander_UW (I don't know what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future)
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To: B4Ranch

“130 grenades”
“an improvised rocket launcher with live rounds,”
“a grenade launcher,”
“a machine gun,”
“a short barreled shot-gun,”
“two silencers,”


I don't know. I ain't got a problem with any of that.

Of course, FedGov doesn't like it when serfs have real militia weapons.

18 posted on 04/26/2007 7:52:39 PM PDT by zeugma (MS Vista has detected your mouse has moved, Cancel or Allow?)
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To: Southern Partisan

“Osborne would not tell her the name of his group, but she knew three or four men had joined. She said that Osborne gave out uniforms to those who joined the group. He also sold some of the uniforms that were kept in her garage in a large plastic box.”

I saw this on an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger.


19 posted on 04/26/2007 7:54:18 PM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
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To: NormsRevenge

The only question I have is why did the BATFE decide to get involved in a backyard barbecue?


20 posted on 04/26/2007 7:54:45 PM PDT by elkfersupper
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To: elkfersupper

why did the BATFE decide to get involved in a backyard barbecue?
-
The civilian Emissions cops turned ‘em in?


21 posted on 04/26/2007 7:55:53 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... In FReeP We Trust ...)
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To: hoosierham
“He said the government is going to fall apart and his group is going to be prepared to take over,”

Somebody bragged

Somebody always does

This is why anyone with any sense would not go near any group like this. Bubba+beer+pot+blasters = Federalbuttslamprisontime.

22 posted on 04/26/2007 8:01:12 PM PDT by Dumpster Baby ("Hope somebody finds me before the rats do .....")
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To: Irish Rose

People don’t need a real reason. Just form a militia, get explosive, blow things up. Shoot as many people as you can and claim some obscure reason.

Obscure reasons:

Taxes

Racial purity

Bush

Did I say Taxes?

The Pope

Jews

Mixed races in public schools

Public schools

Etc, etc and etc.


23 posted on 04/26/2007 8:02:55 PM PDT by doc1019 (Fred Thompson '08)
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To: Southern Partisan
“He said the government is going to fall apart and his group is going to be prepared to take over,”

"It's Haylter Skaylter, y'all".

24 posted on 04/26/2007 8:13:39 PM PDT by Dumpster Baby ("Hope somebody finds me before the rats do .....")
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To: highlander_UW
"...it was utilized to support a hierarchical structure, not as an organizing principle."

Isn't a "hierarchical structure" an "organizing principle"?
25 posted on 04/26/2007 8:18:43 PM PDT by ndt
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To: razorback-bert
Some of my clients over in Eastern HW 72.....I'd bet a ten spot I know some of them....

These boys are in real trouble...they should have stuck to run of the mill weapons..

26 posted on 04/26/2007 8:18:57 PM PDT by vetvetdoug
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To: ndt
Isn't a "hierarchical structure" an "organizing principle"?

What I meant by organizing principle might have better been stated as motivating principle. What I'm saying is that their core issue was identified as protecting the Constitution...not a religious basis. I'd bet money, however, that the MSM will paint them as religious extremists because it gives cover to them giving a pass to Islam and it's terrorism.

27 posted on 04/26/2007 8:27:15 PM PDT by highlander_UW (I don't know what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future)
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To: zeugma

The people at the UN hate those evil things........ in the hands of civilians.


28 posted on 04/26/2007 8:33:38 PM PDT by B4Ranch ("Steer clear of entangling alliances with any portion of the foreign world." -George Washington-)
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To: hoosierham
Somebody bragged.

Somebody always does.

Yep. I was always told only way two people can keep a secret is if one of them's dead.

29 posted on 04/26/2007 8:37:27 PM PDT by processing please hold (Duncan Hunter '08) (ROP and Open Borders-a terrorist marriage and hell's coming with them)
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To: Dumpster Baby
You hit the nail on the head.

If you're going to do this sort of stuff, you better be prepared for someone to brag, snitch, do something stupid, etc. I many be worried about the devolution of America, but I DON'T want to spend time in a federal prison.

30 posted on 04/26/2007 8:42:27 PM PDT by oneolcop (Take off the gloves!)
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To: vetvetdoug
These boys are in real trouble...they should have stuck to run of the mill weapons..

They had ladyfingers and sparklers.

31 posted on 04/26/2007 8:42:59 PM PDT by MARTIAL MONK
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To: zeugma
I don't know. I ain't got a problem with any of that.

I was thinking the same thing.

32 posted on 04/26/2007 8:47:10 PM PDT by D Rider
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To: NormsRevenge

These guys went over the cliff.

They should have stuck with family protection and not gone so overboard.

They will be locked up for a very long time.


33 posted on 04/26/2007 9:06:57 PM PDT by Gator113
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To: DuncanWaring
"Tater Salad, however, remains at large." I spit my drink laughin when I read that. But 2500 rounds? That ain't all that much. I have at least half that in +P right now.
34 posted on 04/26/2007 9:53:08 PM PDT by LimaLimaMikeFoxtrot (Nothing is so simple that it can't be done wrong.)
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To: NormsRevenge

Did I miss something, or is this what is referred to as a victimless crime?


35 posted on 04/26/2007 10:00:36 PM PDT by TheDon (The DemocRAT party is the party of TREASON! Overthrow the terrorist's congress!)
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To: NormsRevenge; pandoraou812
stated James Cavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "The communities in the area are a lot safer, considering the fact that large quantities of live grenades and other explosive materials have been safely removed.

Didn't the vice president of VA Tech say something like that after successfully disarming the campus last year?

It seems like the one thing they didn't charge them with was hurting or threatening anyone.

36 posted on 04/26/2007 10:09:20 PM PDT by TigersEye (For Democrats; victory in Iraq is not an option.)
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To: Southern Partisan
Not clear how much ammunition was taken. 2500 rounds would not fill a UHaul.

It barely fills a large suitcase (unless it was .50 BMG...)!

37 posted on 04/26/2007 10:13:09 PM PDT by ExSES (the "bottom-line")
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To: Oschisms

Fuggedaboutit...

,(:>)


38 posted on 04/26/2007 11:48:32 PM PDT by Yehuda ("Land of the free, THANKS TO THE BRAVE!" (Choke on it, pinkos!))
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To: TigersEye

Yes he did....


39 posted on 04/27/2007 4:42:56 AM PDT by pandoraou812 ( zero tolerance to the will of Allah ...... dilligaf? with an efg.....)
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To: B4Ranch
“and over 120 Marijuana plants”

.....no big deal in Kalifornia.....

But........a toy pistol w/o an orange muzzle ring will get ya hard time....

40 posted on 04/27/2007 4:49:24 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: NormsRevenge
JAMES RAY MCELROY, 20, of Collinsville (Etowah County), Alabama

My father's grandmother was an Ellen McElroy who came over from Ireland in the 1800's and settled in Pennsylvania. I wonder if I'm related to this clown.

41 posted on 04/27/2007 4:52:57 AM PDT by 7thson (I've got a seat at the big conference table! I'm gonna paint my logo on it!)
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To: Irish Rose

Maybe they discovered an al qaeda cell in their neighborhood.


42 posted on 04/27/2007 4:57:15 AM PDT by rabidralph
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To: vetvetdoug

Wonder what their FReeper handles were..


43 posted on 04/27/2007 5:07:17 AM PDT by 2111USMC
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To: hoosierham
Living in,driving,and wearing camouflage while not in the employ of the government also draws attention.

Not in Wisconsin :-)

44 posted on 04/27/2007 5:09:48 AM PDT by rabidralph
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To: Irish Rose

To protect their tiny little pot patch?


45 posted on 04/27/2007 5:13:23 AM PDT by R. Scott (Humanity i love you because when you're hard up you pawn your Intelligence to buy a drink)
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To: zeugma

A short barreled shot-gun is illegal, isn’t it? Isn’t that a hog leg?


46 posted on 04/27/2007 5:15:22 AM PDT by ladyjane
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To: Nervous Tick

Is that a Lahti?


47 posted on 04/27/2007 5:22:00 AM PDT by dljordan
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To: B4Ranch

“This here stuff, hmmmm, I think they’re in deep doo doo!”

The problem is that you can’t trust the Feds to tell the truth. The Federal government is the largest criminal gang in America in my opinion and continually wage a PR war to assure us they only have our best interests at heart. F-Troop (ATF) could walk into your kitchen and find enough chemicals to charge you with making bombs. I had a friend (Vietnam vet) that was charged with having a destructive device because he had an inert LAWS rocket launcher on his wall.


48 posted on 04/27/2007 5:27:07 AM PDT by dljordan
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To: NormsRevenge
Anything a BATFag says is a lie until absolute proof is provided. I wouldn't trust them to tell me the sun was in the sky, I would have to check.
49 posted on 04/27/2007 5:27:10 AM PDT by LibKill ("RUDY GIULIANI" is just "HILLARY CLINTON" misspelled and wearing a dress.)
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To: oneolcop

“If you’re going to do this sort of stuff, you better be prepared for someone to brag, snitch, do something stupid, etc. I many be worried about the devolution of America, but I DON’T want to spend time in a federal prison.”

All the cops did was to weed out the dumb ones. The really serious guys never say a word and have long since broken up into five man cells. There’s lots of “sportsmen” here in Northern Colorado that are ex-military and love to go shooting with a few of their friends on the weekend. God Bless America!


50 posted on 04/27/2007 5:33:22 AM PDT by dljordan
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