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Jun 11, 2008 7:50 pm US/Eastern
3 Suspects In Federal Firearms Probe In Court
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Today, two of five suspects accused of being a part of a dangerous militia appeared in federal court to answer charges related to domestic terrorism.
Their arrests followed a three-year undercover investigation by the feds that revealed a world that most would find unimaginable.
The men are accused of belonging to anti-government militias and of making, stockpiling and sell weapons and bombs.
Their social life revolves around flame-thrower parties.
Even so, the government hasn't presented any evidence that these so-called militia have attacked or were really going to attack anyone:
Marvin Hall, 49, of Rimersberg, Clarion County, has already been in trouble with the law.
In 1999, he served two years in jail for manufacturing a grenade launcher.
After he got out he told an uncover agent who was secretly recording the conversation that "I told those (expletives) for every year I serve, I'll build two more, So, I'm building four."
On another tape, Hall told undercover agents, "You can't find ammonium nitrate (a bomb making material)." But he told the agent, "I'll tell you a top secret. Cold packs contain ammonium-nitrate. I have cases and cases of cold packs all over Clarion County.
Hall is also accused of giving two exploding golf balls to undercover agents.
The undercover agents also allege that suspect Morgan Jones held an annual flame-thrower party for militia members and gun owners.
At the flame thrower party, authorities say explosives were ignited while children were present.
These parties, which happened on his property in rural Clarion County, also involved firing off a home-made cannon.
Finally, suspect Perry Landis is accused of being an officer in a militia group and having the material to make suicide bomber belts.
He's also accused of saying his local magistrate should be "whacked" and that Governor Ed Rendell should be "plinked" -- meaning shot.
But the government's case does have some holes in it.
First of all Hall, who was accused of building grenade launchers, didn't actually have a grenade launcher -- just the material to build one.
As for Landis, who was accused of making suicide bomber belts, there are no suicide belts -- just the material to make one.
More hearings are planned in the case.
Stay with KDKA for the latest details.
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