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FBI: Valrico 'Doomsday prepper' still at large
Bay News 9 ^ | Tuesday, June 17, 2014, 5:58 AM | Jason Lanning

Posted on 06/17/2014 3:41:05 AM PDT by rarestia

An FBI manhunt is ongoing for the 55-year-old Valrico man wanted on federal charges of manufacturing illegal weapons.

The search for Martin Winters ranged from Plant City to Lithia on Monday. Officials say Winters, described as "extremeley dangerous" is the subject of an FBI investigation.

There currently is no law enforcement presence in the area.

Agents say Winters was illegally obtaining assault rifles and building pipe bombs.

Federal agents dressed in camouflage gear and holding rifles kept their eyes on an area of woods off Lithia Pinecrest Road Monday evening.

According to authorities, Winters was approached by authorities while in his vehicle just before 9 a.m. Monday on Cheryl Court in Plant City. Officials said Winters got out of his vehicle and ran into a wooded area near Durant High School, which was briefly locked down.

A SWAT team and helicopters were brought in but Winters got away.

Officials said there is an outstanding federal arrest warrant for Winters. According to a federal indictment, Winters is accused of "making destructive devices.”

Investigators said Winter's plan included killing government agents if he or any member of his group were attacked. Winters is described as a Doomsday prepper, and officials said he buried weapons, ammunition and zip-locked food around several of his properties to to prepare for what he called the end of time.

The federal affidavit points out a YouTube video that shows a man they believed to be Winters digging up one of the many 55 gallons barrels on his and other properties near his home.

The federal affidavit goes on to say Winters is part of a group called the River Otter Preppers, and that he had a plan to kill government agents when he needed to. Investigators say he also made statements about creating booby traps at his home in Valrico, then shooting law enforcement officers when they tried to run away.

Winters was indicted in October on four counts of building destructive devices. He has been under government surveillance since then, according to the FBI.

According to officials, Winters told an undercover agent he had 50 AR-15 rifles buried on his property and other properties. The agent also said Winters told him he wanted to burn his house down and then shoot agents as they arrived to the scene.

Winters also said he had at least 40 men that were willing to participate in his "last stand," officials said.


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: atf; fbi; prepper
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To: Old Sarge

I have church frieds that are about 7 houses away. They couldn’t get out of the neighborhood yesterday because of the Feds. They know the guy and are pretty surprised at all the hubbub.


41 posted on 06/17/2014 5:22:04 AM PDT by tbpiper
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To: rarestia
These days, running from the cops/FBI will get you killed fast. In the eyes of some, being a "Doomsday Prepper" is a capital crime. They even had a television program to portray them as idiots and kooks.

This day and times it is not wise or prudent to say anything to a "friend of a friend" or to respond in kind to a stranger that appears to be overtly friendly. If you don't believe it, ask Randy Weaver.

42 posted on 06/17/2014 5:22:40 AM PDT by sport
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To: Gaffer
The early activities bringing about Ruby Ridge come to mind.

When they leaned on Weaver to be an informant, he refused. That's why they went after him.

Not everyone is so steadfast, which is why it doesn't hurt to choose associates very carefully, even if you aren't doing anything wrong--because the rules can change leaving you open to trouble.

Always remember how many people it takes to keep a secret (exactly one).

43 posted on 06/17/2014 5:28:08 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: Old Sarge
It is a set up Sarge. you know that and I know that. Like that idiot they just got convicted from St. Pete, I believe. If you don't want to get caught in something like this, there are two things to do. 1. Don't do "favors" for "a friend of a friend." 2. Watch what you say to anyone you do not know personally and intimately.

They now want to make an example of this guy. His life, as he once knew it is now over.

44 posted on 06/17/2014 5:30:57 AM PDT by sport
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To: driftdiver
I’m not an expert but I think the .5 inch limit is written into law. Not sure how the 12 gauge is different except its not a rifle caliber.

I'm not so sure. There are a host of .54 and .58 black powder rifles out there.

45 posted on 06/17/2014 5:31:13 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: driftdiver
If you read through the search warrant he used straw buyers to purchase AR15s

Like the 'Fast and Furious' people???

46 posted on 06/17/2014 5:33:11 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: Gaffer

They are and have been doing it for years. One way, not foolproof but it will keep you out of trouble if you attend one of these groups is to what the guy that “:makes friends” with you says. Your only response should be, “Not interested”.


47 posted on 06/17/2014 5:34:36 AM PDT by sport
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To: Portcall24

East of Tampa, East of Brandon. West of State road 60 and Sydney-Dover Road.


48 posted on 06/17/2014 5:36:16 AM PDT by sport
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To: rarestia

A lot of people taken into custody by the FBI die once in custody...could that have made Valrico paranoid to go with them?


49 posted on 06/17/2014 5:38:47 AM PDT by Kackikat
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To: driftdiver
people who would spout off anti-govt statements advocating violence

"....Those are the ones you avoid conversating with. Just tell them you are not interested. Go no further that that.

50 posted on 06/17/2014 5:39:28 AM PDT by sport
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To: 2001convSVT

They did.


51 posted on 06/17/2014 5:40:20 AM PDT by sport
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To: Old Sarge

I was raised in Tampa and yes, this doesn’t pass the mell test. Last night, there was a report about his escape and the damage done at his mother’s house in Plant City. Valrico and Lant City are 15 miles apart and this is one guy in the woods? Heck, why not search the whole state.

If they can’t pin it down better than 15 miles, he’s long gone.


52 posted on 06/17/2014 5:48:42 AM PDT by NTHockey (Rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners. And to the NSA trolls, FU)
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To: jacknhoo

“He’s made a laughing stock out of the FBI”

Yes, but the important thing as that their new transgender strike force looks Fabulous!


53 posted on 06/17/2014 5:48:52 AM PDT by PTBAA
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To: rarestia
50 AR-15 rifles

Wow, that's alot of $$$$$

54 posted on 06/17/2014 6:18:04 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco (By now, everyone should know that you shoot a zombie in the head. Don't try to reason with them...)
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To: Hot Tabasco

Honestly, it sounds like something a fed would say. No prepper worth his salt is going to reveal his armament. That’s a nice round number.


55 posted on 06/17/2014 6:27:10 AM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
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To: rarestia

It would help if you would put the name of the state in the title. I am assuming Valrico is in CA somewhere, but it could be right next to Timbuktu, for all I know....


56 posted on 06/17/2014 6:32:31 AM PDT by Bigg Red (31 May 2014: Obamugabe officially declares the USA a vanquished subject of the Global Caliphate.)
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To: glorgau

+1


57 posted on 06/17/2014 7:45:29 AM PDT by PhiloBedo (You gotta roll with the punches and get with what's real.)
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To: rarestia

Wonderful. This was going to be my retirement bug out location.


58 posted on 06/17/2014 7:47:42 AM PDT by Donnafrflorida (Thru HnodredscottIM all things are possible.)
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To: IMR 4350

“Since the jug eared clown in the WH...”

LOL!


59 posted on 06/17/2014 7:56:50 AM PDT by GGpaX4DumpedTea (I am a Tea Party descendant...steeped in the Constitutional Republic given to us by the Founders)
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To: sport

This guy obviously isn’t a Muslim, because if he were he’d be getting a big fat leaving alone and more likely than not a lucrative federal subsidy.


60 posted on 06/17/2014 7:57:30 AM PDT by George Varnum (Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light...)
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