Visit from the FBI and Army CID

10/31/01 | Fury

[Fury]

Boo!

Had a visit today from the FBI and the Army CID for a Freedom Of Information Act Request I made back in August, 2001.

I received a call from the Apartment Manager where I live saying that some gentleman from the FBI were here to speak with me. I initially said I would meet them down at my apartment, but then remembered I had a meeting to go to, so I called back and asked if they would meet where I work.

They did so, presented their credentials, and explained that an FOIA request of the Seneca Army Depot Activity was on a list they had of recent requests and they wanted to ask about the request, as it was a very specific request asking for building numbers, Activity layout, etc. I understood and cooperated. They seemed very interested in why my requests were so specific and I explained to them I had participated in an FX when I was in ROTC several years ago, had just driven by the base, etc when I was heading down to Cornell and wanted to obtain some information from the base for historical reasons, and plus I had always been interested in old facilities, (but as I have noted on FR, this sort of thing, asking for tours of plants, taking pictures is all but gone now, with the events of the past).

We talked, and asked if they could come down and go inside my apartment and I said no. I did say that could take a look at pictures I took of the Depot when I went down in August and all my other pictures if they liked outside my apartment. They were nice, doing their job, and stated well, why not let us in your apartment and the requests you made seem very detailed and specific. I said, put yourself in my shoes and I am uncomfortable of not just them going in my apartment but anyone going in my apartment. It's where I live. But I understood why they had to ask.

We drove down and looked through pictures of the Rochester Lilac Festival, Events at the place I work and the livestock I raise! ;) I do understand these folks were doing their job, and we had to find some reasonable ground.

At the end, they asked me if I have ever been approached by any foreign nationals or others wanting to buy the pictures or if I gave the pictures to anyone. They also stated that if they come back with a search warrant, will they find anything illegal in my apartment? I said no, I do not illegal drugs, have no illegal firearms. They asked me a second time and I said the same thing.

They were professional and it was interesting to say the least. But they explained it was because of 09/11 and I understand that.

[NittanyLion]

Good response. I don't think the FBI could've asked for better cooperation than they received from you.

[beckett]

Was their decision to conduct an interview with you based solely on your FOIA request? Did they give any indication that they had prior knowledge of your politics?

[DoughtyOne]

Isn't it interesting that they visited you, but we now find that they haven't even done site visits to the 100 known biological labs in the nation? I really get tired of going over the same type of ground, but it occurs to me that the FBI is simply over it's head with regard to the attacks on this nation. Is it just me or does anyone else wonder who sets their priorities these days?

[marty60]

They are probably going thru your apt now. You gave them enough reasons for a search warrant.

[Black Agnes]

Yup. Bump to the little black bag search going on at your house right now!

[Native American Female Vet]

Yep, sneak and peak for sure.

[OK]

They are probably going thru your apt now. You gave them enough reasons for a search warrant.

Agreed, and with the new anti-terrorist legislation they don't even have to tell him they did it.

[HEFFERNAN2]

Good thing you took that towel you had wrapped around your head off before the Feds arrived....just kidding, just kidding. You did good "Fury." We all hope we can be as composed as you when the Federales show up. Semper Fi, Mike

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

The trusting part of me says both parties behaved in a reasonable manner. They asked & you objected with a very reasoned response. You both found common ground for cooperation.

The cynical part says when you are at work, the store, wherever, they will be inside your home anyway.

That is what is wrong with the Patriot Act. As a citizen, you do not know when the scene has ended. And once again, "if you are innocent, you have nothing to hide" translates to "if you are innocent, prove it."

Oh, what troubling times for our nation.....

[MississippiMan]

Suggest taking day off and going to your apartment that is quite possibly being rifled through.

Just curious, what's your ethnicity? If you're an EWM (evil white male) and they do grab a warrant, then it pretty much shows that they're now placing emphasis on internal terrorists as opposed to the real ones, now doesn't it?

MM

[A CA Guy]

We can't blame them for doing a good job!

[mommadooo3]

Hell. The fbi HAD to investigate Fury. After all, he's an American citizen, who took an innocent interest in his past. And we ALLLLLL know that the American citizens are BIGGER threats than those diaperheaded vistors, who only want to go to 'school'.

[VRWC_minion]

Why were your FOI requests so specific. I still don't get it.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Under the new "Anti-Terrorism" law, you can now be searched without your knowledge, and you most likely will. Of course, anyone busting into your apartment without identifying themselves as law enforcement are subject to the same treatment as you might apply to a burgler. ;>

[clamboat]

When I was a kid, my brothers and I would leave a hair or a tiny scrap of paper wedge between the door and the jamb so we could tell if the door had been opened in our absence. Just for grins you might want to leave such tell-tales (sp?) on your closet or bedroom doors. You might want to leave one obvious one, and one very small and unobvious, because they will be looking for those types of things (I hope!)

[6ppc]

I would backup all your files, re-format and re-install your operating system on the computer. Pain in the a$$, but if they do a sneak and peek they will likely plant a sniffer on your system.

[VRWC_minion]

They will just take it.