Posted on 12/17/2004 10:49:05 PM PST by kattracks
A security guard for an upscale subdivision in Charles County, Md., has admitted knowing of a plan to set fire to houses there and being present during the lighting of the fires, which caused $10 million in damage, according to court documents.
Aaron Lee Speed, 21, of Waldorf, Md., was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt yesterday on arson charges, after having been arrested Thursday. Judge William Connelly ordered Mr. Speed to be held in U.S. marshals' custody without bond until a detention hearing Tuesday.Several others were being questioned at the Charles County Sheriff's Office in La Plata last night, FBI spokesman Barry Maddox said.
Mr. Maddox said no additional charges had been levied. More information would follow, he said, but did not give details.[snip]
According to a seven-page criminal complaint, Mr. Speed — a guard for Security Services of America (SSA) — failed a voluntary polygraph test Thursday at the Charles County Sheriff's Office, including questions about his involvement in the fires.
When authorities challenged his account, he changed his story, admitting that he was on the scene when the fires were being started and that he knew of a plot by others to set fires at the development, the court documents show. He also said he told others how to gain access to the site.
Asked how the fires might have started, Mr. Speed said "by someone pouring an accelerant, followed by someone lighting it ... [with a] handheld propane torch."
Fire investigators found a small propane torch at the arson site.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
So let me get this straight. This guy did it all by himself because he was mad at his employer. The ELFs were not involved?
Please refrain from unnecessary excerpting.
Re: Why are the MSM reports quick to dismiss ELF?
One reason is that the MSM is empathetic to the ELF cause. The libs in power have ELF-connected sponsorship and would be greatly embarrassed. Third, environmentalist PR firms have probably made private contact with the media to spin their story away from any environmentalist involvement. But what of the other side?
Here is the reason why the housing firm remains silent toward any ELF-angle:
[Excerpt from same story/bottom graphs] "Officials with Security Services of America could not be reached for comment yesterday. Officials previously have declined to comment on the case.
Hunters Brooke residents, while disturbed by Mr. Speed's potential involvement, said they were relieved by the case's swift resolution.
Sylvester Kelley, 56, a computer engineer who moved into the development last week from Dale City, Va., said he considers the neighborhood safe again after speculation of the motive being racism or ecoterrorism.
"It's a sense of relief of knowing that the rumors that it was racially motived or done by ecoterrorists were [unfounded]. I'm relieved in the sense that it was just a fanatic with no rhyme or reason."
John Monts, 35, a machine press operator, said the motive didn't concern him as much as the fires themselves.
"It doesn't bother me that a security guard may have set the fires, my uneasiness comes from [the fact] that somebody did it, period," said Mr. Monts, who moved into the development Nov. 12 with his wife, Sheila, and their two children.
"It's surprising that somebody on the payroll could have something to do with this. But it is a bit of a relief that they have someone."
The desire to appease environmentalist groups may add to the housing project's reluctance. If my theory holds true, look for the housing project to curtail all further construction with a a wink to environmental concerns.
FOLLOW THE MONEY AND THE FEAR, FOLKS.
Ping
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