Comments

You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name

Your e-mail (optional)

Website (optional)

	My Original Nic Pic-a-Nic Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Foto

Submit your comments on this article

-Lurid Crime Tales-

6 members of 'The Free Militia' arrested

2007-04-27

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. This morning in DeKalb, Ala., 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," U.S. Attorney Alice Martin for the Northern District of Alabama announced today.

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 (IEDs), 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.

Simple, yet well armed, Mary Jane farmers

"Deadly explosives have been removed from these communities due to outstanding investigative efforts," stated U.S. Attorney Martin. "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, ATF Special Agent in Charge. "The communities in the area are 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, Ala.; Adam Lynn Cunningham, 41, also of Collinsville; Bonnell Hughes, a.k.a. Buster Hughes, 57, of Crossville, Ala.; Michael Wayne Bobo, 30, of Trussville, Ala.; Randall Garrett Cole, 22, of Gadsden, Ala.; and James Ray McElroy, 20, of Collinsville. 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 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

Sounds like a bunch of good old boys, not a single Mohammad in the bunch

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 May 1, 2007, at 1:30 P.M. EST before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court. An indictment has not been filed at this time.

Posted by:Steve

#5 flash91, the phrase in the Constitution reads, "A well regulated Militia". This implies a State-sponsored Militia. Although it is implied, I don't think the Framers of the Constitution ment Private Militias. These types of militias owe allegiance only to the ones who organized them (or pay them) and could be counter to the will of the majority of the people. State militias have legitamcy because thet owe allegiance to the State through their elected officials.

Posted by: Deacon Blues 2007-04-27 18:53

#4 Hmm I thought militias were implicitely protected in the second amendment, along with military class weapons.

Or maybe they meant "elk hunting militias"

Posted by: flash91 2007-04-27 13:36

#3 Now the "Not-so-Free Militia"...

Posted by: mojo 2007-04-27 10:40

#2 Conspiracy to make a firearm? If making a firearm is illegal then there's a bunch of gun manufacturers that are in big trouble.

Did these guys say or do anything actually illegal other than pot farming and building some so-called IEDs (and I do not trust ATF to accurately describe what they actually found).

The grenades, rocket launcher with live rounds, and the so-called machinegun are somewhat suspicious, but I've known WW2 and Vietnam vets who had live LAW rockets, grenades, sniper rifles, and a lot more so I won't call foul till I hear some more from the ATF or these fellows attorneys.

Posted by: FOTSGreg 2007-04-27 10:29

#1 But potentially a bunch of Nichols-McVeigh wannabees. We'll need some independent militias eventually in the war against Islamism, but the ones that keep getting exposed seem decidedly un-useful - a bunch of stupid, racist and/or methie gangsters.

Posted by: Glenmore 2007-04-27 08:28

00:00