Posted on 08/15/2012 5:04:31 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
My tagline since shortly after the Batman movie shooting.
That made me laugh. Thought I was reading an actuall HuffPo blog post for a minute there.
NOTE The following text is a quote:
www.fbi.gov/washingtondc/press-releases/2013/virginia-man-pleads-guilty-to-charges-in-shooting-of-security-guard-at-family-research-council
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Charges in Shooting of Security Guard at Family Research Council
Defendant Targeted Organization in Planned Attack
U.S. Attorney’s Office
February 06, 2013
District of Columbia
WASHINGTON—Floyd Lee Corkins, II, 28, pleaded guilty today to three felony charges, including a terrorism offense, in the August 2012 shooting of a security guard at the Family Research Council in downtown Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr.; Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Corkins, of Herndon, Virginia, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to charges of committing an act of terrorism while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition. The Honorable Richard W. Roberts scheduled sentencing for April 29, 2013. The terrorism offense carries a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison. The assault charge carries a statutory maximum of 30 years of incarceration, and the weapons-related charge carries up to 10 years in prison.
Corkins has been in custody since his arrest after the August 15, 2012 shooting.
This marks the first time that a defendant has been charged with and convicted of committing an act of terrorism under a provision of the District of Columbia’s Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002 that covers criminal actions committed with the intent to “intimidate or coerce a significant portion of the civilian population of the District of Columbia or the United States.”
According to the government’s evidence, on August 15, 2012, at about 10:45 a.m., Corkins entered the office of the Family Research Council at 801 G Street NW and encountered an unarmed security guard. Corkins retrieved a firearm from his backpack and pointed it at the security guard. The security guard charged Corkins and a struggle ensued, during which Corkins fired three shots, striking the guard in the arm. Despite the gunshot wound and Corkins’ subsequent discharges of the gun, the security guard heroically succeeded in disarming the defendant and forcing him to the ground and onto his belly.
According to a statement of offense, signed by the defendant as well as the government, Corkins targeted the Family Research Council because of its views, including its advocacy against recognition of gay marriage. He entered the building with the intention of shooting and killing as many employees of the organization as he could.
“Were it not for the heroic guard who tackled Floyd Corkins, he could have succeeded in perpetrating a mass killing spree in the nation’s capital,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “This case highlights the dangers of access to high-capacity magazines that allow killers to inflict carnage on a mass scale in the blink of an eye. Today’s guilty plea makes clear that using violence to terrorize political opponents will not be tolerated.”
“Individuals such as Mr. Corkins who commit violent acts in pursuit of political aims are a danger to our society and to the freedoms we enjoy as citizens,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave. “In today’s plea, Mr. Corkins admitted to committing an act of terrorism in the District of Columbia. Together with our partner law enforcement agencies and with the assistance of the community, the FBI will pursue all those who seek to intimidate or harm U.S. citizens.”
“This was a horrible act,” said Police Chief Lanier. “Fortunately, a quick-thinking employee was able to disarm and subdue the shooting suspect. His dedication to duty and willingness to put himself in harm’s way prevented others from being seriously injured or killed. He is an inspiration to many and a hero to all that were affected.”
According to the statement of offense, Corkins purchased a semi-automatic pistol from a store in Virginia on August 9, 2012, and picked up the weapon the following day. On the afternoon of August 13, he rehearsed his planned trip to the Family Research Council. On the night before the shooting, Corkins returned to the gun store and engaged in shooting practice.
On the morning of August 15, 2012, Corkins rode Metrorail from Virginia and into the District of Columbia, got off at the Gallery Place stop, and went to the Family Research Council. To gain access into the building, he falsely told the security guard that he was there for an interview as a prospective intern. Upon gaining entry, Corkins approached the receptionist desk, which the security guard was manning, intending to shoot and kill him. However, the security guard fought back and, as the two men scuffled, Corkins fired his gun three times, striking the guard once in his left arm in the process. After the security guard subdued Corkins, Corkins stated, “It’s not about you,” but about the organization’s policies. He also was heard making remarks such as, “I don’t like these people, and I don’t like what they stand for.”
In a search after the shooting, MPD officers discovered two fully loaded magazine clips in one of Corkins’ front pants pockets, as well as a Metro card and a handwritten list containing the names of the Family Research Council and three other organizations that openly identify themselves as having socially conservative agendas. A search of Corkins’ backpack turned up, among other items, a box of 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition. They also found 15 individually wrapped sandwiches that Corkins had purchased the previous day from Chick-fil-A.
Corkins later made statements to the FBI in which he said that he was a political activist and considered the Family Research Council to be a lobbying group. He also stated that he intended to kill as many people as possible and smother the Chick-fil-A sandwiches into their faces. Among other things, he said, “Chick-fil-A came out against gay marriage, so I was going to use that as a statement.”
Corkins also revealed the steps he took in planning the attack, saying that he had been thinking about perpetrating similar violence for years but never carried out an attack. Had he not been stopped at the Family Research Council, he stated, he planned to go to the second organization on the list he was carrying and wage a similar shooting there.
The security guard, who also was the building’s manager, underwent emergency surgery in which metal plates were inserted into his left arm so that shattered bones could heal. Numerous bullet fragments remain in his arms, and he was unable to work for months.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave, and Chief Lanier expressed their appreciation to all those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the MPD. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann H. Petalas and T. Patrick Martin of the National Security Section of the United States Attorney’s Office, who prosecuted the case.
LIBERTY COUNSEL Action
NEWS RELEASE
www.LCAction.org
“Corkins Sentenced to Prison for Attempted Massacre at Pro-Family Organization”
SNIPPET: “Washington, DC—Today, Richard W. Roberts, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, sentenced Floyd Corkins II to 25 years in prison for attempting a mass shooting at the Family Research Council on August 15, 2012. On February 6, 2013, Corkins pleaded guilty to three felony counts in federal court, including an act of domestic terrorism.
“Today’s sentence reminds us all of the fragility of freedom,” said Mathew Staver, Chairman, Liberty Counsel Action. “We live in a country that was founded on the concept that all men are created by God and are endowed with certain unalienable rights. Among these rights include the freedom to worship God according to the dictates of one’s conscience. What Mr. Corkins sought to do that day was to deprive others of that right,” Staver added.
“The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) recklessly labeled the Family Research Council as a so-called ‘hate group,’ because it affirms marriage as one man and one woman and because it states someone with same-sex attractions can change. Using SPLC’s ‘hate map,’ Corkins went to Family Research Council with bags of Chck-fil-A sandwiches which he intended to rub in the faces of the people he intended to kill. SPLC must act responsibly and remove the ‘hate’ label from peaceful organizations. It is irresponsible to label nonviolent organizations as ‘hate groups’ simply because you disagree with their message. SPLC represents the height of intolerance, and its irresponsible act provided the map for Corkins to set out on a killing spree. We are free to disagree with one another while still respecting their human dignity. We need peaceful and respectful dialogue,” Staver elaborated.”
NOTE The following text is a quote:
www.justice.gov/usao/dc/news/2013/sep/13-322.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Virginia Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison
In Shooting of Security Guard at Family Research Council
Defendant Targeted Organization in Planned Attack
WASHINGTON – Floyd Lee Corkins, II, 29, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison on three felony charges, including a terrorism offense, in the August 2012 shooting of a security guard at the Family Research Council in downtown Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Corkins, of Herndon, Va., pled guilty in February 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to charges of committing an act of terrorism while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition. The Honorable Chief Judge Richard W. Roberts sentenced him. Upon completion of his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release.
Corkins has been in custody since his arrest after the Aug. 15, 2012 shooting.
This marked the first time that a defendant has been charged with and convicted of committing an act of terrorism under a provision of the District of Columbia’s Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002 that covers criminal actions committed with the intent to “intimidate or coerce a significant portion of the civilian population of the District of Columbia or the United States.”
According to the government’s evidence, on Aug. 15, 2012, at about 10:45 a.m., Corkins entered the office of the Family Research Council (FRC), at 801 G Street NW, and encountered an unarmed security guard. Corkins retrieved a firearm from his backpack and pointed it at the security guard. The security guard charged Corkins and a struggle ensued, during which Corkins fired three shots, striking the guard in the arm. Despite the gunshot wound and Corkins’s subsequent discharges of the gun, the security guard, Leonardo Johnson, heroically succeeded in disarming the defendant and forcing him to the ground and onto his belly.
According to a statement of offense, signed by the defendant as well as the government, Corkins targeted the Family Research Council because of its views, including its advocacy against recognition of gay marriage. He entered the building with the intention of shooting and killing as many employees of the organization as he could.
“A security guard’s heroism is the only thing that prevented Floyd Corkins, II from carrying out a mass shooting intended to kill as many people as possible,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “Our entire community is thankful to the hero who stood up to this heinous attack. Today’s 25-year prison sentence demonstrates the steep price to be paid for turning to violence to terrorize your political enemies.”
“Acts of terrorism, like the one that Mr. Corkins admitted to committing in pursuit of political aim, are horrific events that instill a sense of fear on our community,” said Assistant Director in Charge Parlave. “The FBI applauds the heroic acts of the security guard who deterred Mr. Corkins from inflicting harm on additional victims. With our law enforcement partners, the FBI will respond to, secure and investigate scenes and bring violent actors to justice.”
“I want to commend FRC employee Leonardo Johnson for his heroism and the first responding officers for their quick assessment of the situation, which brought stability and control to the chaos,” said Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier. “As recent events have shown us, quick thinking and bravery during incidents like this can save many lives.”
According to the statement of offense, Corkins purchased a semiautomatic pistol from a store in Virginia on Aug. 9, 2012, and picked up the weapon the following day. On the afternoon of Aug. 13, he rehearsed his planned trip to the Family Research Council. On the night before the shooting, Corkins returned to the gun store and engaged in shooting practice.
On the morning of Aug. 15, 2012, Corkins rode Metrorail from Virginia and into the District of Columbia, got off at the Gallery Place stop, and went to the Family Research Council. To gain access into the building, he falsely told the security guard, Mr. Johnson, that he was there for an interview as a prospective intern. Upon gaining entry, Corkins approached the receptionist desk, which Mr. Johnson was manning, intending to shoot and kill him. However, Mr. Johnson fought back and, as the two men scuffled, Corkins fired his gun three times, striking Mr. Johnson once in his left arm in the process. After Mr. Johnson subdued Corkins, Corkins stated, “It’s not about you,” but about the organization’s policies. He also was heard making remarks such as, “I don’t like these people, and I don’t like what they stand for.”
In a search after the shooting, MPD officers discovered two fully loaded magazine clips in one of Corkins’s front pants pockets, as well as a Metro card and a handwritten list containing the names of the Family Research Council and three other organizations that openly identify themselves as having socially conservative agendas. A search of Corkins’s backpack turned up, among other items, a box of 50 rounds of 9 mm ammunition. They also found 15 individually wrapped sandwiches that Corkins had purchased the previous day from Chick-fil-A.
Corkins later made statements to the FBI in which he said that he was a political activist and considered the Family Research Council to be a lobbying group. He also stated that he intended to kill as many people as possible and smother the Chick-fil-A sandwiches into their faces. Among other things, he said, “Chick-fil-A came out against gay marriage so I was going to use that as a statement.”
Corkins also revealed the steps he took in planning the attack, saying that he had been thinking about perpetrating similar violence for years but never carried out an attack. Had he not been stopped at the Family Research Council, he stated, he planned to go to the second organization on the list he was carrying and wage a similar shooting there.
Mr. Johnson, who also was the building’s manager, underwent emergency surgery in which metal plates were inserted into his left arm so that shattered bones could heal. Numerous bullet fragments remain in his arms, and he was unable to work for months.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge Parlave and Chief Lanier expressed their appreciation to all those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the MPD. They also commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann H. Petalas and T. Patrick Martin, of the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who prosecuted the case.
13-322
#
http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2013/09/frc-shooter-gets-25-years-feds-call-it-act-of-terrorism/
“FRC Shooter gets 25 Years; Feds call it Act of Terrorism”
September 19, 2013 | No Comments
SNIPPET: “Perkins and Johnson delivered emotional testimony at today’s sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“The attack at our headquarters did not just harm Leo,” Perkins told the judge. “As the Court knows, Mr. Corkins’ stated intention was to kill as many FRC staff as possible to send a political message, a chilling, political message. But for Leo’s heroic conduct and the protective hand of the Lord, this crime might have ended like the tragic shooting that occurred earlier this week here in D.C.”
Johnson told the judge about the long term effects of getting shot and how he’s suffered, both physically and psychologically, as a result of the crime. “I have had to endure surgery, with at least two more scheduled; painful, life-threatening blood clots which developed in my right lung; grueling physical therapy sessions; multiple medications and numerous doctors’ appointments as a result of this crime,” Johnson said.
Following the shooting Judicial Watch launched an investigation into what influence the SPLC’s branding of hate groups has had on U.S. government agencies. In January JW obtained nearly 24 pages of emails from U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights and Tax divisions revealing questionable behavior by agency personnel while negotiating for SPLC’s co-founder Morris Dees to appear as the featured speaker at a July 31, 2012, “Diversity Training Event.””
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