Federal Agents Raid Leesburg Home

Leesburg Today ^ | January 23, 2003

[ArcadeQuarters]

Jan 23, 2003 -- The federal joint terrorism task force this morning raided a Leesburg home, loading numerous items from the house into a Ryder moving van. Leesburg Police assisted in serving the search warrant on the single family home located on a cul-de-sac in the Foxridge community in northwest Leesburg.

An FBI spokesman confirmed that the exercise was carried out by the terrorism task force and said that no arrests were made. The search is part of an ongoing investigation and details of the search are not being publicly released. Some neighbors reported being told by agents that the investigation involved a copyright issue.

Witnesses say armed federal agents wearing jackets identifying themselves as members of the terrorism task force and protected by shields surrounded the house at around 6 a.m. The search warrant was executed without incident. Agents remained on the scene for several hours removing boxes of items from the house.

According to land records, the home is owned by Lawrence Cecchini and Billie Co-Tees. Neighbors say the house is rented by a family.

[ArcadeQuarters]

He's accused of printing the Nike logo on a shirt.

[Catspaw]

He's accused of printing the Nike logo on a shirt.

That's not in the article.

Who's the "he" and what's the source of your information about "printing the Nike logo on a shirt?"

Please provide a link.

[DainBramage]

protected by shields

Just had to bring up safe sex didn't they.

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

Nice reply to Catspaw!

[Catspaw]

When I asked for a source, I expected one from a legitimate news source, not a neo-Nazi site. I did not expect to be taken to a racist, antisemitic site and I hit the abuse button.

[ArcadeQuarters]

The source of the article was Lewisburg Today, which as far as I know is a completely legitimate news source. The message board is where his friend posted additional information about the warrant and raid.

And you're missing the point of the article. What happens in Waco or on Ruby Ridge can happen to everyone else. If a terrorism task force raid can be activated based on a single copyright violation, you can be next.

[aristeides]

Some neighbors reported being told by agents that the investigation involved a copyright issue.

Cover story? If the issue involves copyright, I don't see why the Terrorism Task Force would be involved.

[Catspaw]

You posted the new story, then added this:

He's accused of printing the Nike logo on a shirt.

Which was not included in the story. I asked you for a source. I expected you to give me a link to a legitimate news source which give more background on the story. You chose to post a link to a vile racist and antisemitic site, not a legitimate news source about the ID of the person, a site which clearly violates the rules of Free Republic.

[Textide]

A coworker of mine who also lives in Leesburg said that he heard this on the news this morning.

Leesburg Today is a weekly publication in Loudoun county. Here's an AM station with the same story:

WAGE 1200AM

[Catspaw]

Thanks for the link. I hope the legitimate news sources report on the ID of the person in the story and the reason(s) for the raid.

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

I see that you made a donation to FR. HERE

[ActionNewsBill]

He's accused of printing the Nike logo on a shirt.

Maybe he downloaded a song from the internet.

[Quilla]

For the record, names of donors who choose to remain anonymous (default, if no choice made) do not appear on that list.

[Catspaw]

You put the "non" in "non sequitur."

[Lion's Cub]

If the issue involves copyright, I don't see why the Terrorism Task Force would be involved.

Off the top of my head, I would guess that some agent has a sense of humor. I suspect the "copyright" issue might have been the US treasury, since some of these terrorist nations like to counterfeit US dollars.

I see someone mentioned printing the Nike logo on a shirt. Maybe the cells are making knockoffs and selling them as the genuine article to make money. Or maybe the knockoffs just look like the originals, but they sell them cheaper to unscrupulous merchants who resell them at the normal price. Something like that could make very big money if you have a large enough order base.

[ewing]

Anthrax raid perhaps?

[Fred Mertz]

Please keep me in the loop if additional details are forthcoming. Thanks.

[Lion's Cub]

I just thought of another possibility. I have no idea what Nike shirt retails for; but, for my example, let's say it's $15.99. If I can get a plain shirt that looks just like it for $2.99 wholesale, print the logo on it, and sell them at some of the big flea markets as brand new Nike shirts for $7.99, I could probably sell at least a thousand of them on a good weekend.

[aristeides]

I'm puzzled. Are you saying that news is not news if it's from the wrong source?