03-12-2011, 05:53 AM
Five 'Sovereign Citizens' plot to kidnap, kill Alaska troopers
The members of the domestic terrorism group also plotted to kill a judge, claiming courts should have no authority over them
By Sam Friedman
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Five people, including militia activist Schaeffer Cox, were arrested Thursday in the Fairbanks area for allegedly conspiring to kill multiple Alaska State Troopers and a federal judge.
The group had stockpiled weapons and conducted surveillance on the homes of two troopers, according to Alaska State Troopers. Some of the weapons known to be in the cache are prohibited by state or federal law, according to troopers.
In addition to Cox, those taken into custody are Lonnie and Karen Vernon of Salcha, Coleman Barney of North Pole and Michael Anderson, whose hometown was unclear. All were taken into custody without incident.
The arrests were made by the Alaska State Troopers’ Special Emergency Reaction Team, along with Fairbanks troopers, the FBI, U.S. Marshal’s Service and the Fairbanks Police Department.
U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Beistline was the judge targeted, U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler said. Lonnie Vernon was recently indicted on the charge of threatening to kill Beistline, the chief judge for the U.S. District Court in Alaska, “in the fulfillment of his duties” and is the only member of the group facing federal charges, Loeffler said.
Beistline is presiding over a tax-evasion case involving the Vernons.
The five arrested Thursday face several state charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping,
conspiracy to commit arson, and tampering with evidence, according to troopers
http://www.policeone.com/homeland-security/articles/3421024-Five-Sovereign-Citizens-plot-to-kidnap-kill-Alaska-troopers/
The members of the domestic terrorism group also plotted to kill a judge, claiming courts should have no authority over them
By Sam Friedman
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Five people, including militia activist Schaeffer Cox, were arrested Thursday in the Fairbanks area for allegedly conspiring to kill multiple Alaska State Troopers and a federal judge.
The group had stockpiled weapons and conducted surveillance on the homes of two troopers, according to Alaska State Troopers. Some of the weapons known to be in the cache are prohibited by state or federal law, according to troopers.
In addition to Cox, those taken into custody are Lonnie and Karen Vernon of Salcha, Coleman Barney of North Pole and Michael Anderson, whose hometown was unclear. All were taken into custody without incident.
The arrests were made by the Alaska State Troopers’ Special Emergency Reaction Team, along with Fairbanks troopers, the FBI, U.S. Marshal’s Service and the Fairbanks Police Department.
U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Beistline was the judge targeted, U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler said. Lonnie Vernon was recently indicted on the charge of threatening to kill Beistline, the chief judge for the U.S. District Court in Alaska, “in the fulfillment of his duties” and is the only member of the group facing federal charges, Loeffler said.
Beistline is presiding over a tax-evasion case involving the Vernons.
The five arrested Thursday face several state charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping,
conspiracy to commit arson, and tampering with evidence, according to troopers
http://www.policeone.com/homeland-security/articles/3421024-Five-Sovereign-Citizens-plot-to-kidnap-kill-Alaska-troopers/