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Firefighter Arrested, Possible Links To Domestic Terror Groups
A Denver firefighter described as having "anti- U.S. sympathies" is under investigation for possible ties to domestic terrorist groups after his arrest early Tuesday for allegedly selling machine guns, a federal arrest affidavit says. Stan Taran Ford, 34, has been charged with federal firearms violations. He is being held without bond pending a detention hearing Monday, said U.S. attorney spokesman Jeff Dorschner. Dorschner declined to comment further. Ford was suspended without pay from the Denver Fire Department, department spokesman Phil Champagne said. Ford joined the department in February 1999. "There's not much that we can comment on as a result of the ongoing investigation," Champagne said. "We would assist them (the FBI) in any way with any investigation at any time." Tuesday's arrest comes after an investigation of the firefighter that lasted more than two years, according to court documents. In October 2003, El Paso County sheriff's deputies contacted the FBI after receiving information that Ford was trying to "acquire specific sensitive military communications systems and night-vision goggles from a Colorado Springs military base," the documents say. Deputies described Ford as having anti-U.S. sympathies and ties to "an unknown domestic terrorist organization."
According to the documents: In April 2004, Ford allegedly sold a .40-caliber Glock 23 handgun to someone working for investigators for $425. Then in March 2005, he allegedly sold a Sten Mark V submachine gun for $2,800. Finally, in August 2005, he sold a "police model" Heckler & Koch machine gun for $3,900. In the last meeting, Ford allegedly told the buyer that he would sell him a machine gun capable of firing 5.56 mm rounds for about $5,500. The M-16 used by the U.S. military fires a similar round. Investigators note that throughout the dealings with Ford, he allegedly went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that he wasn't being followed or set up. When going to meet with the buyer, he drove through the neighborhood where the meetings took place, checking parking lots and side streets for possible surveillance crews, investigators said.
Posted by: Steve 2005-11-23 |
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