Leader of border group arrested [Glenn Spencer of the American Border Patrol on gun-related charges]

WorldNetDaily ^ | August 5, 2003 | Jon Dougherty

[yonif]

The leader of a southwestern U.S. border group that electronically monitors illegal-alien traffic has been arrested on gun-related charges, according to local law-enforcement officials.

Authorities with the Cochise County (Arizona) Sheriff's Department arrested Glenn Spencer, founder and head of the American Border Patrol on Saturday, charging him with three counts of disorderly conduct with a weapon, a count of endangerment and a count of criminal damage.

It was unclear how long Spencer could go to jail if convicted of all counts.

According to the Sierra Vista Herald, Spencer was held in the county jail until Sunday.

Sheriff's department spokeswoman Carol Capas told WorldNetDaily Spencer was charged then released on his own recognizance.

The Herald said an off-duty sheriff's deputy who lives near Spencer in Sierra Vista heard gunfire from the direction of Spencer's home on Friday. The deputy called the sheriff's department, and other officers responded. Attempts to contact Spencer were reportedly unsuccessful.

Deputies then left a note on Spencer's door requesting he contact them so they could talk to him about the reported gunfire.

The next morning, an unidentified woman who is the deputy's neighbor contacted him and asked about the sounds of gunfire. She said she had heard several shots Friday evening and discovered what appeared to be gunfire damage to her garage. No one was injured in the alleged shootings.

At that point, the deputy again called his department. He and other deputies then responded to Spencer's home once again.

While attempting to contact Spencer, officers discovered several shell casings, the Herald said.

The deputies made contact with Spencer, and he told them Friday evening he heard noises outside his home and went to check on them.

The Herald said Spencer reportedly admitted to deputies he fired several shots Friday night from a lever-action .357 rifle. The paper said the shell casings deputies discovered matched the caliber of Spencer's rifle.

Capas told WorldNetDaily it was unclear whether deputies had obtained forensic firearms evidence matching bullets from the woman's garage to Spencer's rifle, but she added the department was continuing its investigation.

She also said the law forbids the discharge of firearms within a quarter-mile of a residence.

A statement published on the American Border Patrol's website suggested the alleged gunfire may have been in response to property theft following two days of death threats.

"Following two straight days of death threats, Wednesday and Thursday, American Border Patrol's headquarters near Sierra Vista, Ariz., were invaded by burglars Thursday night or Friday morning," said the statement. "The burglars used bolt cutters to gain access to ABPs equipment yard and entered the residence area through an adjoining gate. Equipment was stolen from both areas. The burglary was reported to Cochise County Sheriffs; however no suspects have been identified to ABP to date."

The statement said losses amounted to about $6,000. It also said the e-mailed death threats were forwarded to the FBI.

Spencer could not comment to WorldNetDaily regarding his arrest, citing advise of counsel.

Some border activists who are trying to help federal authorities curb illegal immigration believe they are being purposely targeted for retribution by well-funded opposition groups.

They point to the recent arrests of Spencer, Civil Homeland Defense founder Chris Simcox, and two members of Ranch Rescue as evidence for their claim.

As WorldNetDaily reported, Casey Nethercott and Hank Conner, Ranch Rescue members, were arrested in Hebbronville, Texas, by a Texas Ranger for allegedly pistol-whipping two illegal aliens from El Salvador they discovered while patrolling a vast swath of property owned by local rancher Joe Sutton. Both men remain in custody, but witnesses have claimed the men are innocent.

A U.S. Park Service ranger arrested Simcox for unlawfully carrying a firearm on federal land. The activist claims the ranger targeted him because of his "anti-Hispanic" activities.

In an earlier interview, Simcox told WorldNetDaily he had been warned that members of his group would be "picked off one by one" by opposing groups south of the border if they continue their border-control operations.

[yonif]

American Border Patrol founder Glenn Spencer

[MineralMan]

"The next morning, an unidentified woman who is the deputy's neighbor contacted him and asked about the sounds of gunfire. She said she had heard several shots Friday evening and discovered what appeared to be gunfire damage to her garage. No one was injured in the alleged shootings. "

Uh-oh. If they can match bullets with the rifle, he's in big trouble.

[TheDon]

"She also said the law forbids the discharge of firearms within a quarter-mile of a residence."

Huh? No qualifiers, like unless in case of self defense?

[MineralMan]

"Huh? No qualifiers, like unless in case of self defense?"

What, was his neighbor's garage about to attack?

[TheDon]

My question was a general one, regarding the statement I quoted. Is this Arizona law? No qualifiers?

As for the case at hand, I'm sure you've considered it may be possible he was shooting at something between himself and the neighbor's garage, and missed, hitting the garage.

On the other hand, anyone know if he likes to drink?

[joesnuffy]

Some border activists who are trying to help federal authorities curb illegal immigration believe they are being purposely targeted for retribution by well-funded opposition groups.

They point to the recent arrests of Spencer, Civil Homeland Defense founder Chris Simcox, and two members of Ranch Rescue as evidence for their claim.

Coincidence?....

[joesnuffy]

America's Palestinians and their "friends" n "advocates"

[PRND21]

Coincidence?....

Yes. They are all law breaking, hypocritical idiots that should not be running around Federal borders with guns.

[MineralMan]

"As for the case at hand, I'm sure you've considered it may be possible he was shooting at something between himself and the neighbor's garage, and missed, hitting the garage. "

OK, and one of the principal rules of firearms safety is to know what is behind what you're shooting at. Since he lives there, I'd assume he knew that a neighbor's building was there. What if the neighbor had been in the garage?

Such shooting is totally irresponsible, and endangers the lives of others. Maybe one of the charges will be a felony, and he'll lose his right to own firearms. Did he think of that, do you suppose?

Feh!

[PRND21]

Spencer's website says he isn't a vigilante because he doesn't carry a gun. Oops.

[mabelkitty]

Get this to O'Reilly. He had Rep. Kolbe on his show last night, and Kolbe, pro-Amnesty card, told O'Reilly he didn't know anything about "immigrant problems" in his state.

HURRY!

[BlackElk]

Sometimes resistance to border paranoia and self-appointed Keystone Kops running around on the border doing what the government, as actual policy, refuses to do is a lonely beat. I am glad that you will also be patrolling that beat. Thanks for an accurate post. God bless you and yours.

[PRND21]

Do I get in on the ABP questionable donations account, too? Cool.

[Tacis]

This demonstrates the risk in opposing Presidente Fox. With his drug money assets in the US, he can make it tough for anyone who tries to impede the movement of the 1000s that he employs to transport his inventory.

[Dead Corpse]

They are all law breaking, hypocritical idiots that should not be running around Federal borders with guns.

That's no way to talk about the US Border Patrol.

[Dead Corpse]

Uh-oh. If they can match bullets with the rifle, he's in big trouble.

Always!!! Always be sure of your backstop.

However, it'd be interesting if some of the stolen property turned up inside said garage. That'd be a twist....

[MineralMan]

"However, it'd be interesting if some of the stolen property turned up inside said garage. That'd be a twist....
"

I saw no indication of any suspicions of that nature. A guy doesn't usually steal from the next door neighbor. In any case, I doubt that AZ law allows shooting someone because they stole something from you. Theft isn't a capital offense in the US, although it is in some parts of the Muslim world.

Bottom line is that if this guy is blasting away at night and hitting a neighbor's garage, he's 1. an idiot and 2. in a heap o' trouble.

[TERMINATTOR]

Having a gun in your home, and carrying one are two different things, both of which are protected by the Second Amendment. It's regrettable that he missed. I hope he learns from this, and gets to the range more often.

Militia - Got Liberty?

[Old Sarge]

"Huh? No qualifiers, like unless in case of self defense?"

What, was his neighbor's garage about to attack?

Hey, if there's a perp in my sight picture, that's not a garage, that's a backstop!

[Old Sarge]

They are all law breaking, hypocritical idiots that should not be running around Federal borders with guns.

That's no way to talk about the US Border Patrol.

Might I add ATF/FBI/DPS/your next-door neighbor in the National Guard?