Free Republic

Over a stormy two-year period, "The Fire Next Time" follows a deeply divided group of Flathead Valley, Montana citizens caught in a web of conflicts intensified by rapid growth and the power of talk radio.

MISSOULA -- A remorseful former Flathead Valley woman tied to the Project 7 paramilitary group will spend 27 months in prison for federal weapons violations. Tracy Brockway, 34, became a key figure in authorities' investigation into the group. "I just wanted to say how sorry I am. I am sorry I played a role in this conspiracy," Brockway told Chief U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula. In a plea bargain with the federal government, Brockway had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess illegal firearms. Molloy's sentence of 27 months was the minimum term he could order under sentencing guidelines....

A 100-member task force arrested three men Thursday in northwestern Montana on firearms charges associated with an alleged militia plot to kill public officials. The three arrests are the result of a lengthy federal investigation begun in February 2002 into a militia cell known as "Project 7" in Flathead County, authorities said. The militia group was plotting to assassinate judges, police officials and other government employees in the Kalispell area, authorities said. Evidence seized earlier suggested members of the suspected militia cell had contact with like-minded individuals in North Idaho. It appears prosecutors are prepared to use only federal firearms...

Accused Mont. Militiamen Plead Innocent GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Three men who allegedly belong to a militia group that authorities say was plotting to kill Montana public officials have pleaded innocent to federal firearms charges. Steven N. Morey, 44, James Riley Day, 60, and John W. Slatter, 53, appeared in court Friday and were ordered held pending detention hearings Wednesday. Federal authorities say the men, all of the Kalispell area, are suspected of belonging to a militia group called "Project 7," which refers to Flathead County license plate numbers that begin with the numeral seven. In 2002, authorities said they...

Feds sweep down on militant suspects By Chery Sabol The Daily Inter Lake More than 100 local officers and federal agents stormed three rural homes Thursday morning before dawn, arresting two men with alleged ties to the paramilitary group Project 7. Another was arrested near Helena later. The group was accused two years ago of plotting to kill local officials. One man connected with the group, David Earl Burgert, was convicted in 2003 of federal weapons charges. He was reportedly indicted on further charges Wednesday, along with the other three. Arrested without incident at their homes Thursday morning were James...