Man arrested for allegedly plotting to blow up federal buildings in Denver

9 News Denver ^ | March 8, 03 | Jeannie Piper

[churchillbuff]

Man arrested for allegedly plotting to blow up federal buildings, including Denver City and County Building updated: March 08, 2003 - 4:47 PM Written By: Web Producer Jeannie Piper

DENVER – Federal and local authorities announced Friday the arrest of a 51-year-old man accused of trying to buy explosives and recruit inmates to blow up government facilities, including at least one building in Denver.

Authorities say the biggest local target was the Denver City and County Building.

According to a court affidavit, Dana West was apparently recruiting prisoners to help him carry out his plot. It says he tried to get at least eight inmates in six Colorado Department of Corrections institutions to join his group he called Truth and Honesty. West offered the inmates money, up to $50, if they swore to him that they were willing to blow up government buildings.

His plot was stopped when an inmate told officials about it.

West told an undercover officer he wanted to blow up the buildings because he was angry with the government for seizing his house in East Denver for drugs when all he had in the house were two marijuana plants.

West also said he was building a new country that was going to be established in Mexico and the citizens of the new country were going to be recruited by West from people of the United States.

The undercover agent said West specified blowing up a bathroom inside the City and County Building, and he wanted to blow up a local police car. He also mentioned blowing up a police car in another state.

If convicted, West could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The FBI, INS and Denver authorities worked on the case.

[churchillbuff]

angry with the government for seizing his house in East Denver for drugs when all he had in the house were two marijuana plants.

I can see why he was angry - - if it's true they took his house over two pot plants -- though obviously it doesn't justify terrorism in response. But asset seizure HAS gotten out of hand.

[Illbay]

Here come the druggies out of the woodwork, apologizing for this guy right and left.

Then you can catch some of them on other threads, calling for Osama bin Laden's head.

So it goes.

[churchillbuff]

I'm not apologizing for drug use, or for violent plotting, but asset forfeiture is a threat to the rights of ALL of us - - because it gives law enforcement an incentive to take property from people in order to fund police and prosecutorial programs.

[Larry Lucido]

West also said he was building a new country that was going to be established in Mexico

Yea, like Mexico isn't gonna notice until it's too late.

[Illbay]

I don't know. It seems to me that there have been a few asset forfeiture cases thrown out, but for the most part they're upheld by the appeals courts.

Sweeping generalizations that imply that there are gross abuses are simply not borne out by facts.

In this case, who knows what this guy really "suffered?" I have a great deal of doubt about some guy who would plot to kill and maim innocent people because of his own troubles. Such a person deserves little consideration, and his claims to injustice even less so.

[VaBthang4]

Another Loserdopian with a brilliant plan for America.

</Yawn>

[VaBthang4]

Because it gives law enforcement an incentive to...track down and arrest drug users/peddlers.

No excuses.

[FreeLibertarian]

And the 2nd American Civil War continues.

[CyberAnt]

If you're not growing POT in your house - then I don't think you have to worry about having your house seized ...??