Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Massive Online Sextortion Plot
U.S. Attorney’s Office
August 23, 2012
Middle District of Alabama
(334) 233-7280
MONTGOMERY, AL—Christopher Patrick Gunn, age 31, of Montgomery, Alabama, pled guilty today to producing child pornography in connection with an online sextortion scheme that spans the globe, U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr., announced. Over a period of more than two years, Gunn repeatedly used computers, chat rooms, and other social media outlets to threaten hundreds of young girls ages 9 to 16 located throughout the United States and internationally. Gunn used those threats to pressure a number of the children and teenagers to produce elicit and pornographic material of themselves. Gunn pled to charges brought in the Middle District of Alabama as well as the Northern District of Florida, and his plea included two counts of making child pornography, 15 counts of interstate extortion, and seven counts of Internet stalking.
The investigation of Gunn started in April 2011 by officers of the Prattville (Alabama) Police Department, after female students at Prattville Junior High School complained that someone using the screen name “Tyler Mielke” had been asking them for sexually explicit pictures over Facebook. Prattville investigators were able to trace an IP address for the bogus “Tyler Mielke” account back to Gunn’s residence in Montgomery and obtained and executed a state search warrant for his residence on April 14, 2011. The seized computers revealed evidence of the online sextortion plot under the account names “Tyler Mielke” and “Jason Lempke.”
Separate investigations conducted in September 2011 by the Biloxi (Mississippi) Police Department and the Livingston Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office revealed that someone in the Montgomery area had been committing the very same crimes against young girls in those areas using Facebook accounts with the names “C.J. Harper” and “Dalton Powers.”
Based upon the information obtained from these investigations, the FBI was able to determine that Gunn was the person behind all the criminal conduct. On March 20, 2012, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at Gunn’s residence, where they discovered a cell phone and a laptop computer containing images and videos of child pornography.
Among the pictures that Gunn possessed were several of young girls posing in various states of undress and which appear to have been produced by the girls themselves using their cell phone cameras. These images confirmed the information that the FBI’s investigation had already uncovered—that, for over a year, Gunn had been repeatedly using fake Facebook profiles to obtain nude and partially nude photos and videos from young girls in numerous states, including Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Gunn used two principal schemes to obtain photos of these young girls in various states of undress.
The first scheme—dubbed “The New Kid Ruse”—began sometime in 2009 and continued until at least August 2011. Under that scheme, Gunn contacted the minor victims by sending them a message over Facebook. He then pretended to be a new kid in town looking for friends. For this purpose, Gunn allegedly established and used a number of different online aliases, including Tyler Mielke, Jason Lempke, CJ Harper, Dalton Powers, Dalton Walthers, Daniel Applegate, and Daniel Rodgers. Once he had gained their trust through chatting, Gunn would ask the girls a series of personal questions, such as their bra sizes, their sexual histories, intimate details about their bodies, and so on. When they had finished divulging that personal information, Gunn would then ask the girls to send him a topless photo. If they refused, he would threaten to e-mail their intimate conversation to the school principal or post it on Facebook for everyone to see.
The second scheme—dubbed “The Justin Bieber Ruse” —began sometime in November 2011, or possibly even earlier, and continued until shortly before Gunn was arrested in March of this year. Under that scheme, Gunn, pretending to be the internationally famed pop star Justin Bieber, contacted the minor victims primarily by using Internet-based interactive video chat services, such as Omegle and Skype. Once he had convinced the minor victims that he was, in fact, Justin Bieber, Gunn would allegedly offer them free concert tickets, backstage passes, or some other fan-related benefits if they would agree to send him a webcam transmission or a photo of themselves with their breasts exposed.
Some of the minor victims of Gunn’s two extortion schemes complied to varying degrees with his demands; others did not. For those who complied, Gunn continued sending further demands and more threatening communications. For example, girls who provided a photo of themselves in nothing but underwear were extorted for topless photos. Those who provided topless photos were extorted for pictures of themselves completely naked. And for the minor victims who continued to accede to his demands, Gunn would require them to appear on webcam and perform sexually explicit acts on themselves. If any of his demands were not met, Gunn would threaten to withhold the benefits he had promised the girls and/or to injure the girls’ reputations by publishing their compromising images and videos over the Internet.
“These child predators irreparably damage the children they victimize,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck. “The scope of this defendant’s exploitation of children is staggering; he not only preyed upon children in our community, but in communities across the United States. Thank goodness he is being brought to justice as the children in our country are safer with this defendant off of the streets.”
The FBI is continuing to work to identify additional victims of both schemes in numerous other states, including Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and California. Members of the public who believe they may have information concerning these or related crimes are urged to contact the Montgomery field office of the FBI at (334) 263-1691.
Based on his guilty plea, Gunn faces no less than 25 years and as much as 35 years in federal prison and could be ordered to spend the rest of his life on supervised release.
This case is being investigated by the Montgomery Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the Prattville (Alabama) Police Department, the Walton County (Florida) Sheriff’s Department, the Biloxi (Mississippi) Police Department, and the Livingston Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jared H. Morris.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc/resources.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Full Co-Operation Works Everytime...
67 Indicted in Massive Meth Lab Bust
Posted on: 11:27 am, August 29, 2012, by Lindsay Buckingham
ASHTABULA, Ohio — More than 100 federal, state and local law enforcement officers carried out a massive methamphetamine bust over the last two days that stretched across two counties.
Ashtabula County Prosecutor Thomas Sartini tells Fox 8 News “Operation Meth Death” relied on the multijurisdictional task force to conduct drug raids across Ashtabula County, and a portion of Lake County.
The Ashtabula County Grand Jury has indicted 67 people accused of manufacturing meth. Those individuals were arraigned Wednesday morning.
A news conference on Operation Meth Death is planned for 1:30 p.m. Authorities were expected to provide pictures and video of the drug raids to the media.
Stick with Fox 8 News and FOX8.com for updates on this story.
Posted on: 11:27 am, August 29, 2012, by Lindsay Buckingham
ASHTABULA, Ohio — More than 100 federal, state and local law enforcement officers carried out a massive methamphetamine bust over the last two days that stretched across two counties.
Ashtabula County Prosecutor Thomas Sartini tells Fox 8 News “Operation Meth Death” relied on the multijurisdictional task force to conduct drug raids across Ashtabula County, and a portion of Lake County.
The Ashtabula County Grand Jury has indicted 67 people accused of manufacturing meth. Those individuals were arraigned Wednesday morning.
A news conference on Operation Meth Death is planned for 1:30 p.m. Authorities were expected to provide pictures and video of the drug raids to the media.
Stick with Fox 8 News and FOX8.com for updates on this story.
Two Leaders of Baltimore Drug Ring Exiled to 45 Years in Prison
Two Leaders of Baltimore Drug Ring Exiled to 45 Years in Prison
Cocaine Supplied By Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel
U.S. Attorney’s Office
August 28, 2012
District of Maryland
(410) 209-4800
BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Wade Coats, age 47, of Baltimore, and Jose Cavazos, age 44, of Midlothian, Texas, today each to 45 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Coats was also sentenced for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration-Washington Field Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Timothy P. Groh of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Acting Police Commissioner Anthony Barksdale of the Baltimore City Police Department.
“A substantial portion of the illegal drugs distributed in Maryland are imported from the Mexican border,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “This case demonstrates the international ties of a local drug dealer.”
According to evidence presented at the five-day jury trial, from 2005 to February 2010, Coats and his co-defendant James Bostic, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, received cocaine and marijuana from the Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel, which he and other conspirators distributed. From 2005 to April 28, 2009 Cavazos would receive 20-25 kilograms of cocaine from the cartel twice a month for delivery to Coats. Cavazos or his employees would drive the cocaine to Baltimore.
On April 27, 2009, law enforcement saw Coats and co-defendant Ronald Brown conduct what appeared to be a drug transaction. Brown had received approximately five to 10 kilograms of cocaine from Coats over the previous six months. Agents followed Coats to a Baltimore hotel where Coats removed several bags from his trunk, entered the hotel, and returned to his car shortly thereafter without the bags. Later that evening, law enforcement saw Coats exit a business located on North Duncan Street in Baltimore with bags that he placed in his trunk. Agents stopped Coats outside his car and Coats became nervous. After Coats denied visiting the hotel earlier that day, agents searched Coats and seized a gun and $7,000 in cash. Coats was arrested.
Agents executed a search warrant at Coats’ hotel room and found Cavazos inside. Agents seized several cell phones and a suitcase containing $275,000 in heat-sealed bricks of cash wrapped in aluminum foil from the hotel room. They arrested Cavazos and seized another suitcase containing $335,000 in heat-sealed bricks of cash from Cavazos’ car parked in the hotel’s garage.
Trial evidence established that Coats and Cavazos were both organizers and leaders of an extensive cocaine trafficking enterprise. Coats and Cavazos had multiple employees transporting drugs and money, and both defendants had other business partners and customers with whom they dealt. Coats and Cavazos were responsible for the distribution of between 1,500 kilograms of cocaine and 7,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Co-defendant James Bostic, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the drug distribution scheme and was sentenced to 210 months in prison. Co-defendant Ronald Brown, age 45, of Baltimore also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, FBI, Maryland State Police, Baltimore Police Department, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys James T. Wallner and Peter M. Nothstein, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Cocaine Supplied By Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel
U.S. Attorney’s Office
August 28, 2012
District of Maryland
(410) 209-4800
BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Wade Coats, age 47, of Baltimore, and Jose Cavazos, age 44, of Midlothian, Texas, today each to 45 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Coats was also sentenced for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration-Washington Field Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Timothy P. Groh of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Acting Police Commissioner Anthony Barksdale of the Baltimore City Police Department.
“A substantial portion of the illegal drugs distributed in Maryland are imported from the Mexican border,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “This case demonstrates the international ties of a local drug dealer.”
According to evidence presented at the five-day jury trial, from 2005 to February 2010, Coats and his co-defendant James Bostic, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, received cocaine and marijuana from the Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel, which he and other conspirators distributed. From 2005 to April 28, 2009 Cavazos would receive 20-25 kilograms of cocaine from the cartel twice a month for delivery to Coats. Cavazos or his employees would drive the cocaine to Baltimore.
On April 27, 2009, law enforcement saw Coats and co-defendant Ronald Brown conduct what appeared to be a drug transaction. Brown had received approximately five to 10 kilograms of cocaine from Coats over the previous six months. Agents followed Coats to a Baltimore hotel where Coats removed several bags from his trunk, entered the hotel, and returned to his car shortly thereafter without the bags. Later that evening, law enforcement saw Coats exit a business located on North Duncan Street in Baltimore with bags that he placed in his trunk. Agents stopped Coats outside his car and Coats became nervous. After Coats denied visiting the hotel earlier that day, agents searched Coats and seized a gun and $7,000 in cash. Coats was arrested.
Agents executed a search warrant at Coats’ hotel room and found Cavazos inside. Agents seized several cell phones and a suitcase containing $275,000 in heat-sealed bricks of cash wrapped in aluminum foil from the hotel room. They arrested Cavazos and seized another suitcase containing $335,000 in heat-sealed bricks of cash from Cavazos’ car parked in the hotel’s garage.
Trial evidence established that Coats and Cavazos were both organizers and leaders of an extensive cocaine trafficking enterprise. Coats and Cavazos had multiple employees transporting drugs and money, and both defendants had other business partners and customers with whom they dealt. Coats and Cavazos were responsible for the distribution of between 1,500 kilograms of cocaine and 7,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Co-defendant James Bostic, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the drug distribution scheme and was sentenced to 210 months in prison. Co-defendant Ronald Brown, age 45, of Baltimore also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, FBI, Maryland State Police, Baltimore Police Department, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys James T. Wallner and Peter M. Nothstein, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending August 24, 2012
FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending August 24, 2012
Washington, D.C.
August 24, 2012
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
Louisville: Iraqi National Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Indictment
Mohanad Shareef Hammadi attempted to ship weapons and money from the United States to al Qaeda in Iraq. Full Story
New York: U.S. Government Seizes $150 Million in Connection with Hizballah-Related Money Laundering Scheme
Entities linked to Hizballah, including the now-defunct Lebanese Canadian Bank, allegedly used the U.S. financial system to launder narcotics trafficking and other criminal proceeds through West Africa and back into Lebanon. Full Story
Seattle: Man Charged with Making Threats Against the President and Assaulting a Federal Agent
Anton Calouri allegedly sent an e-mail to the FBI threatening to kill the president and pointed a shotgun at a Secret Service agent and local officer when they went to his home. Full Story
Atlanta: Militia Members Sentenced to Prison for Plotting to Purchase Explosives and Silencers
Frederick Thomas and Dan Roberts sought to obtain firearms that were to be used in attacks on government buildings and federal employees, including law enforcement agents. Full Story
Mobile: Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Massive Online Sextortion Plot
Patrick Gunn admitted to producing child pornography in connection with an online sextortion scheme that spanned the globe. Full Story
Boston: Former Northbridge School Committee Member, Part-Time Teacher, and Boy Scout Leader Charged with Possessing Child Pornography and Enticing Children
Andrew J. Myers was charged with possession of child pornography and use of the Internet to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. Full Story
Houston: Search Warrants Lead to 24 Arrests and Seizure of Nearly 14,000 Marijuana Plants
Of the 60 properties searched, 40 were allegedly active hydroponic marijuana grow houses and contained marijuana plants in various stages of growth. Full Story
Los Angeles: Members of L.A. County Street Gangs and an International Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted in Connection with Methamphetamine Distribution Network
An investigation by the San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force resulted in the arrests of 16 of the 27 defendants who face federal narcotics charges. Full Story
San Antonio: Two Former Senior Executives of ArthroCare Corp. Arrested in $400 Million Securities Fraud Scheme
John Raffle and David Applegate were charged with wire, mail, and securities fraud, among other violations. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of assets held by the defendants. Full Story
Atlanta: Federal Courts Order Seizure of Three Website Domains Involved in Distributing Pirated Android Cell Phone Apps
The operation was coordinated with international law enforcement, including Dutch and French officials, to prevent the infringement of copyrighted mobile device apps. Full Story
Washington, D.C.
August 24, 2012
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
Louisville: Iraqi National Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Indictment
Mohanad Shareef Hammadi attempted to ship weapons and money from the United States to al Qaeda in Iraq. Full Story
New York: U.S. Government Seizes $150 Million in Connection with Hizballah-Related Money Laundering Scheme
Entities linked to Hizballah, including the now-defunct Lebanese Canadian Bank, allegedly used the U.S. financial system to launder narcotics trafficking and other criminal proceeds through West Africa and back into Lebanon. Full Story
Seattle: Man Charged with Making Threats Against the President and Assaulting a Federal Agent
Anton Calouri allegedly sent an e-mail to the FBI threatening to kill the president and pointed a shotgun at a Secret Service agent and local officer when they went to his home. Full Story
Atlanta: Militia Members Sentenced to Prison for Plotting to Purchase Explosives and Silencers
Frederick Thomas and Dan Roberts sought to obtain firearms that were to be used in attacks on government buildings and federal employees, including law enforcement agents. Full Story
Mobile: Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Massive Online Sextortion Plot
Patrick Gunn admitted to producing child pornography in connection with an online sextortion scheme that spanned the globe. Full Story
Boston: Former Northbridge School Committee Member, Part-Time Teacher, and Boy Scout Leader Charged with Possessing Child Pornography and Enticing Children
Andrew J. Myers was charged with possession of child pornography and use of the Internet to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. Full Story
Houston: Search Warrants Lead to 24 Arrests and Seizure of Nearly 14,000 Marijuana Plants
Of the 60 properties searched, 40 were allegedly active hydroponic marijuana grow houses and contained marijuana plants in various stages of growth. Full Story
Los Angeles: Members of L.A. County Street Gangs and an International Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted in Connection with Methamphetamine Distribution Network
An investigation by the San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force resulted in the arrests of 16 of the 27 defendants who face federal narcotics charges. Full Story
San Antonio: Two Former Senior Executives of ArthroCare Corp. Arrested in $400 Million Securities Fraud Scheme
John Raffle and David Applegate were charged with wire, mail, and securities fraud, among other violations. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of assets held by the defendants. Full Story
Atlanta: Federal Courts Order Seizure of Three Website Domains Involved in Distributing Pirated Android Cell Phone Apps
The operation was coordinated with international law enforcement, including Dutch and French officials, to prevent the infringement of copyrighted mobile device apps. Full Story
Monday, August 27, 2012
"The Lords Resistance Army"...Always Gets away with Murder..
British safari driver David Simpson was released after five months of incarceration in the Central African Republic on suspicion of killing 13 people.
Deputy Prosecutor, Magistrate Romaric Martian Kpangba-Kingo said that all charges have been dropped against Simpson. He is still in Bangui awaiting permission to return to Britain.
In local reports Simpson says that despite his ordeal he hopes to resume work as a safari guide.
Simpson was arrested on March 26 after he reported the discovery of the bodies of 13 people by a small-scale gold mine in the east.
The victims' hands were bound behind their backs and had machete wounds. Simpson's lawyers claimed he was innocent and charged the the killings may have been committed by the Lord's Resistance Army.
Deputy Prosecutor, Magistrate Romaric Martian Kpangba-Kingo said that all charges have been dropped against Simpson. He is still in Bangui awaiting permission to return to Britain.
In local reports Simpson says that despite his ordeal he hopes to resume work as a safari guide.
Simpson was arrested on March 26 after he reported the discovery of the bodies of 13 people by a small-scale gold mine in the east.
The victims' hands were bound behind their backs and had machete wounds. Simpson's lawyers claimed he was innocent and charged the the killings may have been committed by the Lord's Resistance Army.
Military Terror Plot: Murder Case Uncovers Terror Plot By 'Militia' Within U.S. Military
By RUSS BYNUM 08/27/12 03:10 PM ET
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Sign Up ...Follow: Terrorism, Video, U.S. Military, Armed Forces, Crime News, Militia, Right-Wing Extremists, Soliders Plot Overthrow Federal Government, Soliders Terror Plot, Crime News . LUDOWICI, Ga. — Four Army soldiers based in southeast Georgia killed a former comrade and his girlfriend to protect an anarchist militia group they formed that stockpiled assault weapons and plotted a range of anti-government attacks, prosecutors told a judge Monday.
Prosecutors in rural Long County, near the sprawling Army post Fort Stewart, said the militia group composed of active duty and former U.S. military members spent at least $87,000 buying guns and bomb components and was serious enough to kill two people – former soldier Michael Roark and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany York – by shooting them in the woods last December in order to keep its plans secret.
"This domestic terrorist organization did not simply plan and talk," prosecutor Isabel Pauley told a Superior Court judge. "Prior to the murders in this case, the group took action. Evidence shows the group possessed the knowledge, means and motive to carry out their plans."
One of the Fort Stewart soldiers charged in the case, Army Pfc. Michael Burnett, also gave testimony that backed up many of the assertions made by prosecutors. The 26-year-old soldier pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter, illegal gang activity and other charges. He made a deal to cooperate with prosecutors in their case against the three other soldiers.
Prosecutors said the group called itself F.E.A.R., short for Forever Enduring Always Ready. Pauley said authorities don't know how many members the militia had.
Burnett, 26, said he knew the group's leaders from serving with them at Fort Stewart. He agreed to testify against fellow soldiers Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, identified by prosecutors as the militia's founder and leader, Sgt. Anthony Peden and Pvt. Christopher Salmon.
All are charged by state authorities with malice murder, felony murder, criminal gang activity, aggravated assault and using a firearm while committing a felony. A hearing for the three soldiers was scheduled Thursday.
Prosecutors say Roark, 19, served with the four defendants in the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division and became involved with the militia. Pauley said the group believed it had been betrayed by Roark, who left the Army two days before he was killed, and decided the ex-soldier and his girlfriend needed to be silenced.
Burnett testified that on the night of Dec. 4, he and the three other soldiers lured Roark and York to some woods a short distance from the Army post under the guise that they were going target shooting. He said Peden shot Roark's girlfriend in the head while she was trying to get out of her car. Salmon, he said, made Roark get on his knees and shot him twice in the head. Burnett said Aguigui ordered the killings.
"A loose end is the way Isaac put it," Burnett said.
Aguigui's attorney, Daveniya Fisher, did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press. Attorneys for Peden and Salmon both declined to comment Monday.
Also charged in the killings is Salmon's wife, Heather Salmon. Her attorney, Charles Nester, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Pauley said Aguigui funded the militia using $500,000 in insurance and benefit payments from the death of his pregnant wife a year ago. Aguigui was not charged in his wife's death, but Pauley told the judge her death was "highly suspicious."
She said Aguigui used the money to buy $87,000 worth of semiautomatic assault rifles, other guns and bomb components that were recovered from the accused soldiers' homes and from a storage locker. He also used the insurance payments to buy land for his militia group in Washington state, Pauley said.
In a videotaped interview with military investigators, Pauley said, Aguigui called himself "the nicest cold-blooded murderer you will ever meet." He used the Army to recruit militia members, who wore distinctive tattoos that resemble an anarchy symbol, she said. Prosecutors say they have no idea how many members belong to the group.
"All members of the group were on active-duty or were former members of the military," Pauley said. "He targeted soldiers who were in trouble or disillusioned."
The prosecutor said the militia group had big plans. It plotted to take over Fort Stewart by seizing its ammunition control point and talked of bombing the Forsyth Park fountain in nearby Savannah, she said. In Washington state, she added, the group plotted to bomb a dam and poison the state's apple crop. Ultimately, prosecutors said, the militia's goal was to overthrow the government and assassinate the president.
The Army brought charges against the four accused soldiers in connection with the slayings of Roark and York in March, but has yet to act on them. Fort Stewart spokesman Kevin Larson said he could not comment immediately on the militia accusations that emerged in civilian court Monday.
District Attorney Tom Durden said his office has been sharing information with federal authorities, but no charges have been filed in federal court. Jim Durham, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, would not comment on whether a case is pending.
By RUSS BYNUM 08/27/12 03:10 PM ET
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Sign Up ...Follow: Terrorism, Video, U.S. Military, Armed Forces, Crime News, Militia, Right-Wing Extremists, Soliders Plot Overthrow Federal Government, Soliders Terror Plot, Crime News . LUDOWICI, Ga. — Four Army soldiers based in southeast Georgia killed a former comrade and his girlfriend to protect an anarchist militia group they formed that stockpiled assault weapons and plotted a range of anti-government attacks, prosecutors told a judge Monday.
Prosecutors in rural Long County, near the sprawling Army post Fort Stewart, said the militia group composed of active duty and former U.S. military members spent at least $87,000 buying guns and bomb components and was serious enough to kill two people – former soldier Michael Roark and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany York – by shooting them in the woods last December in order to keep its plans secret.
"This domestic terrorist organization did not simply plan and talk," prosecutor Isabel Pauley told a Superior Court judge. "Prior to the murders in this case, the group took action. Evidence shows the group possessed the knowledge, means and motive to carry out their plans."
One of the Fort Stewart soldiers charged in the case, Army Pfc. Michael Burnett, also gave testimony that backed up many of the assertions made by prosecutors. The 26-year-old soldier pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter, illegal gang activity and other charges. He made a deal to cooperate with prosecutors in their case against the three other soldiers.
Prosecutors said the group called itself F.E.A.R., short for Forever Enduring Always Ready. Pauley said authorities don't know how many members the militia had.
Burnett, 26, said he knew the group's leaders from serving with them at Fort Stewart. He agreed to testify against fellow soldiers Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, identified by prosecutors as the militia's founder and leader, Sgt. Anthony Peden and Pvt. Christopher Salmon.
All are charged by state authorities with malice murder, felony murder, criminal gang activity, aggravated assault and using a firearm while committing a felony. A hearing for the three soldiers was scheduled Thursday.
Prosecutors say Roark, 19, served with the four defendants in the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division and became involved with the militia. Pauley said the group believed it had been betrayed by Roark, who left the Army two days before he was killed, and decided the ex-soldier and his girlfriend needed to be silenced.
Burnett testified that on the night of Dec. 4, he and the three other soldiers lured Roark and York to some woods a short distance from the Army post under the guise that they were going target shooting. He said Peden shot Roark's girlfriend in the head while she was trying to get out of her car. Salmon, he said, made Roark get on his knees and shot him twice in the head. Burnett said Aguigui ordered the killings.
"A loose end is the way Isaac put it," Burnett said.
Aguigui's attorney, Daveniya Fisher, did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press. Attorneys for Peden and Salmon both declined to comment Monday.
Also charged in the killings is Salmon's wife, Heather Salmon. Her attorney, Charles Nester, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Pauley said Aguigui funded the militia using $500,000 in insurance and benefit payments from the death of his pregnant wife a year ago. Aguigui was not charged in his wife's death, but Pauley told the judge her death was "highly suspicious."
She said Aguigui used the money to buy $87,000 worth of semiautomatic assault rifles, other guns and bomb components that were recovered from the accused soldiers' homes and from a storage locker. He also used the insurance payments to buy land for his militia group in Washington state, Pauley said.
In a videotaped interview with military investigators, Pauley said, Aguigui called himself "the nicest cold-blooded murderer you will ever meet." He used the Army to recruit militia members, who wore distinctive tattoos that resemble an anarchy symbol, she said. Prosecutors say they have no idea how many members belong to the group.
"All members of the group were on active-duty or were former members of the military," Pauley said. "He targeted soldiers who were in trouble or disillusioned."
The prosecutor said the militia group had big plans. It plotted to take over Fort Stewart by seizing its ammunition control point and talked of bombing the Forsyth Park fountain in nearby Savannah, she said. In Washington state, she added, the group plotted to bomb a dam and poison the state's apple crop. Ultimately, prosecutors said, the militia's goal was to overthrow the government and assassinate the president.
The Army brought charges against the four accused soldiers in connection with the slayings of Roark and York in March, but has yet to act on them. Fort Stewart spokesman Kevin Larson said he could not comment immediately on the militia accusations that emerged in civilian court Monday.
District Attorney Tom Durden said his office has been sharing information with federal authorities, but no charges have been filed in federal court. Jim Durham, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, would not comment on whether a case is pending.
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