Militia Raided [Alabama-style Gun Control]

The Times-Journal ^ | April 27, 2007 | Jared Felkins

[Sleeping Beauty]

Federal, state and local authorities seized weapons and explosives belonging to a militia group at two homes in Collinsville and three other counties early Thursday morning.

DeKalb deputies, along with U.S. Marshals and ATF agents executed federal search warrants in DeKalb, Jefferson, Marshall and Etowah counties, including two near Collinsville School.

Agents from Atlanta and Huntsville bomb squads and the FBI were also on the scene.

“The good news is hopefully today Alabama is free of the Free Militia,” said ATF agent in charge Jim Cavanaugh. “There is a lot of concern for the future as a result of this undercover investigation.”

Three men, Raymond Kirk Dillard, also known as Jeff Osborne, 46, Adam Lynn Cunningham, 41, and James Ray McElroy, 20, were arrested in Collinsville during the raid. Dillard was a federal fugitive from justice, who was wanted by ATF agents in Mobile.

Dillard was living in a camper off U.S. 11 in Collinsville with no electricity or running water, according to his landlord, Jo Ann Gunnin. Gunnin said Dillard described himself as a former Marine who was trying to recruit neighbors into his militia.

Gunnin said Dillard had repeatedly told her he hates the government and Hispanics.

Bonnell “Buster” Hughes, 59 of 3151 Pea Ridge Road near Asbury, was arrested in Marshall County. Randall Garrett Cole, 22 of Gadsden, was arrested in Etowah County.

The men have been charged 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, 30 of Trussville, was also arrested and charged with being a drug user in possession of a firearm.

“Deadly explosives have been removed from these communities due to outstanding investigative efforts,” said U.S. Attorney Alice Martin. “This Free Militia describes themselves as anti-government. They were working to get firearms and specifically explosive devices.”

One of the raids in Collinsville was at a trailer off a private road and another was at a nearby house off U.S. 11 about a quarter-mile from Collinsville School.

Sheriff Jimmy Harris said the newly formed Special Response Team helped agents serve a warrant at one location while a tracking team took a second suspect into custody in Collinsville. State Troopers arrested the third suspect.

“We took them by surprise,” Harris said. “We went into the woods at about 3 this morning.”

Major Crimes Unit Commander Wade Hill said the raids were flawless.

“When you have that many agencies come together and it comes off as big and as well as it did, it’s a good result,” Hill said. “It went exactly as we wanted.”

Cavanaugh said the militia had no written agenda, and used military rank for its members.

“We classify this as a violent, anti-government group,” Cavanaugh said. “We think we’ve gotten the core group. This is a core, made-up military group. They are a militant militia who obviously feel they need to use force at some time.”

During searches, agents recovered 130 grenades, a grenade launcher, a machine gun, a short-barreled shotgun, two silencers, 2,500 rounds of ammunition, explosive components, about 70 improvised explosive devices, 100 marijuana plants and commercial fireworks at the four locations. Agents said the men were using powder from the fireworks to fill the grenades.

“This is an extremely hazardous substance that reacts with heat and friction, said state Fire Marshal Ed Paulk. “These items we recovered today were extremely hazardous, especially so close to the school.”

ATF agents, along with DeKalb sheriff’s investigators, launched an investigation into the reported militia group seven weeks ago. Officials said the group had not made any specific threats, but said they worked to quickly shut down the group because of its heavy firepower. Officials said the group had enough weaponry to outfit a small army.

The six suspects were brought before a federal magistrate judge in Birmingham on Thursday afternoon. They will be referred to a federal grand jury. A detention hearing has been set for Tuesday.

Authorities had to rent a U-Haul truck to haul away the explosives and weapons from a house in Trussville.

[Sleeping Beauty]

Is this a gun control issue? In what way?

Does the Second Amendment allow you to protect yourself from the government?

How many weapons are too many weapons?

If these were your neighbors, would you have turned them in?

[WKUHilltopper]

“Gunnin said Dillard had repeatedly told her he hates the government and Hispanics.”

So? Why is this even in the report? Has nothing to do with making illegal weapons. They have a right to be jerks if they want. Stupid liberal press.

[sittnick]

I’m not too big on silencers, IEDs or marijuana plants. I don’t think the Second Amendment covers them.

[HiJinx]

There’s no doubt in my mind that this group crossed a line.

For discussion’s sake alone, I’d like to know at what point they crossed it.

I don’t think being a quarter mile from a school is relevant, since most all of us are.

I’m willing to bet the use of the words ‘improvised explosive devices’ are used to deceive the reader. They could apply to homemade land mines just as well as primers - which every reloader in America has on hand.

Is it the grenades? ‘Machine gun’? Military rank?

Just curious...

[Blueflag]

Explosives without a permit might be an issue as well. IEDs? Not a 2nd Amendment issue.

[trek]

Now this story provides the first good reason I’ve seen to fire Gonzalez. Why in the world are the FBI et. al. wasting time with these 3 kooks when there are Al Qaeda and Hizbullah cells in the country to be dealt with. Sheeesh.

[Sleeping Beauty]

I’m not too big on silencers, IEDs or marijuana plants. I don’t think the Second Amendment covers them.

As for the marijuana plants -- they have to pay for their weapons some way. Free enterprise and all that.

Al Qaeda pays with opium/heroin.

[SoldierMedic]

For discussion’s sake alone, I’d like to know at what point they crossed it.

Personally, I view that his group past a certain line when it started to accrue such a heavy arsenal. Given that this group is believed to be anti-government and violent, one can believe that things were coming to a boiling point.

During searches, agents recovered 130 grenades, a grenade launcher, a machine gun, a short-barreled shotgun, two silencers, 2,500 rounds of ammunition, explosive components, about 70 improvised explosive devices, 100 marijuana plants and commercial fireworks at the four locations. Agents said the men were using powder from the fireworks to fill the grenades.

They were setting up for something, something that probably wouldn't have been good.

[labette]

"“Gunnin said Dillard had repeatedly told her he hates the government and Hispanics.”

They MAY have made such statements. Believe about half of what you read when the goon squads and the MSM are in partnership.

[driftdiver]

“Why in the world are the FBI et. al. wasting time with these 3 kooks when there are Al Qaeda and Hizbullah cells in the country to be dealt with. Sheeesh.”

These guys were kooks and breaking the law. Whether they were a danger to anyone but themselves is up for debate. They don’t sound awfully smart either.

Good question about the priority though.

[driftdiver]

“They MAY have made such statements”

The libs make such statements all the time. Of course in their case its the govt and white people.

[Sleeping Beauty]

The look like a bunch of home boys to me -- Ruby Ridge types.

This photo made available by the Shelby County (Ala.,) Sheriff's office shows Raymond Kirk Dillard, 46, one of six men arrested by Federal and state agents who seized an arsenal of homemade hand grenades and firearms in raids Thursday, April 26, 2007. The men, members of the self-styled "Alabama Free Militia," had no apparent plans to use the weapons, but the leader was described as a federal fugitive, federal authorities said. Dillard was also known as Jeff Osborne. (AP Photo/Shelby County Sheriff's Office)

[treffner]

“During searches, agents recovered 130 grenades, a grenade launcher, a machine gun, a short-barreled shotgun, two silencers, 2,500 rounds of ammunition... ...Officials said the group had enough weaponry to outfit a small army.”

Officials must have ment a REALLY REALLY SMALL army.

[Sleeping Beauty]

Officials must have ment a REALLY REALLY SMALL army.

Iraqis shoot off more that that at a small rural wedding.

[Sleeping Beauty]

Clearly, they were informed on by someone they tried to recruit.

My question remains unanswered:

If these were your neighbors, would you have turned them in?

[Inge_CAV]

“Now this story provides the first good reason I’ve seen to fire Gonzalez. Why in the world are the FBI et. al. wasting time with these 3 kooks when there are Al Qaeda and Hizbullah cells in the country to be dealt with. Sheeesh.”

These backwoods redneks are big dummies. If they had announced they were democrats and making weapons for mooselim terrorists, no questions asked.......

[Dacus943]

“Gunnin said Dillard had repeatedly told her he hates the government and Hispanics.”

Maybe Dillard should have said:

We'd love it if our government looked after the interest of the AMERICAN people, and we'd love it if the illegal hispanics went back to their country...!

[cripplecreek]

If these were your neighbors, would you have turned them in?

Maybe. It depends on whether they were really making explosive devices.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I’m not too big on silencers

---

Silencers are LEGAL. (After unconstitutional $200 tax and background check.)

They prevent hearing loss.

They are effective for training.

In certain advanced European nations they are REQUIRED to reduce noise pollution.

[Swordmaker]

I’m not too big on silencers,

Sound suppressors are not illegal in many countries... and are, in fact, required in some places.