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.
why did the BATFE decide to get involved in a backyard barbecue?
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The civilian Emissions cops turned ‘em in?
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.
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.
"It's Haylter Skaylter, y'all".
These boys are in real trouble...they should have stuck to run of the mill weapons..
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.
The people at the UN hate those evil things........ in the hands of civilians.
Somebody always does.
Yep. I was always told only way two people can keep a secret is if one of them's dead.
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.
They had ladyfingers and sparklers.
I was thinking the same thing.
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.
Did I miss something, or is this what is referred to as a victimless crime?
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.
It barely fills a large suitcase (unless it was .50 BMG...)!
Yes he did....
.....no big deal in Kalifornia.....
But........a toy pistol w/o an orange muzzle ring will get ya hard time....
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