Mystery men keep handle on Security at Courthouse

Ark. Dem-Gaz | July 22, 2002 | LINDA SATTER

[rdavis84]

Mystery men keep handle on security at courthouse
BY LINDA SATTER
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
July 22, 2002

They stand resolutely outside the federal courts building in downtown Little
Rock, watching and listening, saying little.
Inside, more of these mysterious men patrol in navy blue jackets,
starched white shirts and gray pants. They demand identification from all
who enter and screen for weapons. In courtrooms, they keep an eye on
proceedings while their earpieces deliver a running account of happenings
elsewhere in the building.
Occasionally, they speak softly into radios, and then suddenly,
discreetly, more of their kind appear.
They also guard jurors and jurists and stand ready to provide
cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Last year, James Thomas Carman was nationally
recognized as CSO of the Year for performing chest compressions to save the
life of U.S. District Judge Henry Woods, who died this March.
Though the badges pinned to their jackets declare "U.S. Marshal’s
Service," they’re not marshals. They’re also not security guards, cops or
bailiffs. And contrary to what some believe, they’re not federal agents, or
even federal employees.
They officially are called court security officers, or CSOs. They are
part of a nationwide group of former law enforcement and military security
officers who work for a private security firm under contract with the U.S.
Marshal’s Service. While in the courthouse, they have the same powers as
deputy marshals. But unlike the federal agents they work alongside, that
authority evaporates when the CSOs leave the building each day.
"They are the guys on the front line," said Daya Khalsa, senior vice
president of Akal Security, a company in Santa Cruz, N.M., that employees
CSOs in two-thirds of the country’s 12 federal judicial circuits, including
the 8th Circuit that encompasses Arkansas and six other states.
"They’re really providing the face of security to everyone. They’re the
people who see things first. They know the building better than anybody,"
Khalsa said.
The CSO program began on a small scale about 20 years ago in New York
City to supplement overworked federal marshals. It spread nationwide as all
federal courthouses increased security and as marshals’ duties expanded
beyond protecting judges. Today, there are about 4,800 federal CSOs.
"There’s a perception out there that private security is just driven by
price and it’s very low quality, and that’s a misconception," Khalsa said.
He said CSOs, who make $15 to $30 an hour, "couldn’t be more different" than
lower-paid private security employees.
While many private guards lack law enforcement experience and don’t carry
guns, CSOs are armed and have at least three years of law enforcement
experience. Most, Khalsa said, are retired cops with 20 to 30 years of
experience.
"I’ve been wearing a badge and carrying a gun since I was 18 years old,"
said John Dillon, 61, of Sherwood, a former U.S. Air Force security guard
and a CSO for five years.
In Little Rock, about half of the 28 CSOs at the main courthouse or the
nearby bankruptcy courthouse are former military police, while others are
retired sheriff’s deputies, police officers or state troopers. Many have
experience in both areas. The youngest is in his mid-30s, the oldest, in his
mid-70s. Most are in their 50s. All must pass stringent annual physicals.
Behind their uniformly steely gazes, though, they are a diverse bunch of
individuals, with skills reaching far beyond knowing how to shoot guns and
wrestle suspects — not that there is much of a need for either on their
watch.
Ron Cunningham, a CSO for 11 years who spent 20 years with Air Force
security, and who races horses around barrels on weekends, credits the
no-nonsense reputation of federal court for minimizing rowdy behavior that
sometimes afflicts the less-staid state courts.
"I think they have a lot more respect for the federal system," Cunningham
said of would-be troublemakers.
Cleo Randall, a CSO for three years who previously worked as a juvenile
court bailiff and in Air Force security, agreed. A martial arts teacher and
sword maker while off duty, Randall said the CSOs’ law enforcement
backgrounds help them quickly recognize postures or movements that signal
trouble, allowing them to ward it off by quietly summoning reinforcements.
Because the officers’ mere presence can deter trouble, making it hard to
know how much actual danger or crime they may have averted, the workday
often ends without that satisfying sense of accomplishment, notes Mike
Kieffer, a CSO for 10 years who spent 20 years in Air Force security.
Kieffer said that’s why the most rewarding part of the job is the
friendliness the CSOs get from courthouse regulars — judges, staff and
lawyers.
"They go out of their way to speak and remember what your name is. It
makes you feel appreciated," he said.
Chief U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright said the court officers
"serve us well."
"My experience with them is they’re ordinarily pretty good with handling
people and different situations in a courtroom setting," Wright said. "I
think that, because of their backgrounds, they do have a lot of people
skills that others of us lack. The downside is they tend to be older and not
as physically fit" as marshals.
Wright said that since the bombing of the federal courthouse in Oklahoma
City in 1995 and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, she’s heard informal
chitchat at meetings of senior judges across the country about whether
more-enhanced security is needed in federal courts beyond that provided by
the combination of CSOs and marshals. Jim Hall, a supervisory deputy marshal
in Little Rock, said the CSOs provide necessary extra manpower and are "a
good group of guys."
Though much of what the CSOs do is secretive, one of their unofficial
duties is hard to miss. At least once a week, the courthouse is permeated
with the smell of bacon, stew or perhaps chicken and dumplings, all
emanating from the officers’ firstfloor office. Usually the cook is their
supervisor, 18-year veteran Joe Maxwell, or seven-year veteran Fred Clark.
"We have a simple meal once a week for fellowship. It’s just kind of
become a tradition," said Clark, a retired state trooper, deputy sheriff and
smalltown police chief known for making a mean batch of cornbread.
The CSOs admittedly cultivate the sense of mystery that leaves people
wondering who, exactly, they are, and what, exactly, they might do if
provoked.
"A great deal of the respect we get comes from the mystique," three-year
CSO Robert Bellamy said.
Max Ballew, a 13-year CSO, agreed. With a sly smile, he notes that’s one
reason why, when CSOs are on the job, "the courthouse is very well
protected."

This story was published Monday, July 22, 2002

[rdavis84]

"I thought Akal is HQed in New Mexico."

Correct. That was in the posted article. 2 points.

So, where's TEG? How come they disappeared?

[Fred Mertz]

But AKAL of 2002 might be different than the AKAL of 1996 or 1995.

[Catspaw]

Well, there are a few folks that don't think New Mexico is a state because of that "Mexico" thingie in their name.

If NM is anything like our state, there's a registry for all companies that are incorporated in that state, and that corporation papers would include the corporation officers and other basic information. In our case, it's the Secretary of State. It may be different in other states. But if a corp. was operating in New Mexico or using NM as its HQ, there's a very good chance that incorporation papers of some sort would be on file with some state agency. That'd be the place to start for sleuths. Of course, a number of corps are incorporated in Delaware. That'd be the second most logical place to look.

[Catspaw]

You said, hmmmmm....

I suppose you don't even know where to start to do this kind of research, do you?

[Fred Mertz]

I suppose you don't even know where to start to do this kind of research, do you?

Normally, many of us learn from each other and work as a team. You sound like a gang of one.

[Nita Nupress]

The problem here may be that all of us who were on the original threads are too lazy or busy to rehash 6 long threads that unearthed a wealth of information and took more twists and turns than a cheap mystery novel.  And to my knowledge, none of us did a final, concluding "Summary" that I can link to this thread to make it easy for you.

I really can't spend hours sitting here going over this, mainly because I'd have to go back and reread the threads to refresh my memory and that would take too long.  But if you're really interested in knowing more about Teg Security and Akal Security and how they figure into the OKC bombing, you can go read the threads yourself.  They really are kind of exciting to read.  At least, they were exciting last year when we kept turning up new information about Teg.  Today, they may be boring and tedious reading.  Sorry, it's the best I'm willing to do.  

Try reading BlueDogDemo's replies here first.  That may help. http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b3f4d0e454e.htm (Thread 2, I think.  Read replies 114 & 181)

All the threads:

FIRM RAN SECURITY AT OKLA. BOMB SITE
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3b3d8e767823.htm

Firm Ran Security At OK Bomb Site Part 2
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3b3f4d0e454e.htm

Firm Ran Security At OK Bomb Site Part 3
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3b41e2bc54d1.htm

Firm Ran Security At OK Bomb Site Part 4
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3b4435b51732.htm

Firm Ran Security At OK Bomb Site - Part 5
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3b4a2619093e.htm

Firm Ran Security at OK Bomb Site - Part 6
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b71b20b06f1.htm

 

By the way, if anyone is just trying to distract the thread from a "hot" topic, it may not be necessary.  We basically came to a dead end last year and couldn't go any further on the net.  :-)

 And I'm sorry. Everyone will have to find their own links to read up on cut-outs and front companies. ;-)

[dighton]

Thanks for the links.

[Catspaw]

I already described how to start the research in my post #63.

[Fred Mertz]

I saw it.

[Fred Mertz]

Try #66 on for size.

[Catspaw]

All these Sikh connections. I thought Rep. Dan Burton was also close to the Sikhs.

[Catspaw]

Okay, I've read one of the threads. But why does the current Justice Department and current administration continue its contracts with Akal if they know they had involvement with the Clintons and all the thread I read implies, and the possible involvement of Akal in the OKC bombing? Don't they know, don't they care, or are they also part of the conspiracy?

[Fred Mertz]

I come here looking for answers, but mostly leave with more questions. This one is a hard nut to crack.

[general_re]

She was elected twice. I don't know or particularly care about her politics or views, but she called for one election and lost it. Then she worked in their system again and was re-elected. I guess machine guns are better than elections, huh?

Whoa there, chief. Yes, it's true that Indira Gandhi was killed by her Sikh bodyguards, but it was a surprise to about one person in all of India - Indira Gandhi.

The problem was that at the time (1983-84), there was still a relatively credible Sikh separatist movement in India, albeit one that was losing a great deal of steam after setbacks at the hands of the Indian Army. The Sikh separatists were very much a minority, although I don't think that it's unfair to say that many mainstream Sikhs were sympathetic. Anyway, one of their main leaders had holed up in the Golden Temple of Amritsar with about 400 or so of his supporters.

Now, you must understand, the Golden Temple is the holiest of holies for the Sikhs - it's the Wailing Wall, the Vatican, and Mecca all rolled into one. Here it is:

So of course, in an incredibly foolish move, Gandhi ordered the Indian Army to take the Temple and apprehend (or better yet, kill) the Sikhs holed up within. And even worse than the fact that the Indian Army set foot within the Temple was the fact that the Temple was significantly damaged during the assault.

You must understand the rage of the Sikhs - even moderate, mainstream Sikhs who had not supported the separatists were outraged. Imagine how Jews would feel were part of the Wailing Wall pulled down by the Palestinians, or how Catholics would feel if Muslim terrorists blew up St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and that's about how the vast majority of Sikhs looked at it.

Just about everyone on the whole Indian subcontinent saw it coming, except for Indira, in her incredible arrogance. Her own hubris killed her as much as anything else.

And that's the whole story on the Sikh killing of Indira Gandhi...

[Betty Jo]

Ask Ethel to go get me somethinng for my headache!

I'm trying to plot out BODANSKY and now you've got me flashbacking to Akel/Teg/Condit!

Remember somehow,archy, I think,wove the Condit condo into Akel?

Did we ever SEC search the company?

If it has contracts all over the country,maybe it's a public company?

Is it some kind of strange spooky deal,like SECURICOR,which is big British ex- military,which has the airport contracs?

Are we sure it's not a subsidiary of Brown Root Halliburton?

And where the heck is OKCSubmariner at?

[Betty Jo]

Freddy, don't forget Condit and Rohrabacher getting political contributions from "The Council of Khalistan",the Sikh separatist group.

Condit worked hard to get India named a "terrorist state".

[Betty Jo]

Fred,remember up above I mentined BODANSKY ?

I googled +Bodansky+sikh.

Bodansky has documented how Pakistan is getting Sikhs to work with Paks on terrorism against India.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend!

[honway]

Sikhs are terrorists. They even assasinated the Prime Minister of India. Money raised in the U.S. by Sikhs go towards funding Sikh terrorism abroad.

Not for commercial use. Solely to be used for the educational purposes of research and open discussion.

The tentacles of the ISI

THE HINDU

August 29, 2000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE MONSTROUS FACE OF ISI: Bhure Lal; Siddarth Publications, 10, DSIDC Scheme-II, Okhla Industrial Area Phase-II, New Delhi- 110020. Rs. 375.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHILE DEDICATING the book to the martyrs of the Kargil war, Mr. Bhure Lal has used all his background information on Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), not just to depict its horrendous plans on India, but to warn the people about its designs at subverting and disintegrating the country.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the initial stages, the ISI was directly aiding and funding Kashmiri and Sikh extremists. But, when the U.S. (a long-time ally) started asking uncomfortable questions, it transferred those activities to "private" organisations. The "Pasban", a front of the Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Jamaat-ul- Fuqra, are identified by Mr. Bhure Lal, as such agencies.

[Catspaw]

I come here looking for answers, but mostly leave with more questions. This one is a hard nut to crack.

I've been asking questions, but I'm not getting answers. I keep getting brush-offs and flames.

It's beginning to remind me of what that French guy who wrote the conspiracy book about Flight 77 not really flying into the Pentagon, but it was the US that blew up the Pentagon. When asked what happened to the passengers, he said, in essence, there are some things that cannot be explained.

[honway]

http://www.india-emb.org.eg/Section%207E/..%5cSection%207E%5cEnglish3.html

link

US House Republican Research Committee’s Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, September 20, 1993:

“The ISI opted to keep the US/CIA out of the camps in order to hide the extent of the ‘volunteer’s’ training programme. Indeed, thousands of Islamist trainees from Indian Kashmir, and to a lesser extent Sikhs from the Punjab, as well as hundreds of Islamists from all over the Arab and Muslim world, were routinely trained in camps originally set up strictly for the training of Afghan Mujahideen.

The sites for Fuqra terrorist training are part of a complex of some 6 camps in the greater Lahore, and some 20 camps in the general Lahore area, in which Kashmiris, Sikhs, and others from India receive terrorist training.

Thus at present the training and preparation of additional high quality terrorists continues to expand.”