The BATF is at it Again

An Update on the "Pipe Bomb" by the Georgia "Militia"

On Monday, April 6, 1996, in a larger court room than was used for the bond hearing, the probable cause (preliminary) hearing for Bob Starr and Jimmy McCranie produced yet another packed house.

After passing through metal detectors, Dr. Nancy Lord was forced to remove her watch and shoes, was not allowed to use the U.S. court library, and the federal agents even hesitated to let her file her motions (play the government's audio tape) in the clerk's office. Instead, they offered to send a U.S. marshal to receive her documents. J.J. Johnson was virtually molested after passing through the metal detectors.

At 2:00 PM, the government introduced the transcript of the bond hearing. Dr. Nancy Lord, attorney for Bob Starr, demanded and was granted the right to cross-examine the government's lone witness, BATF Special Agent Steven Gillis.

Special thanks go out to Agent Gillis for his contradictions, concessions, and confessions while under oath. In his testimony, he ADMITTED the following:

1. There was no interstate commerce, therefore allowing a challenge to federal jurisdiction (U.S. v Lopez).

2. After 10 days, the chemicals found on Starr's property have yet to be tested by any scientific laboratory.

3. Gillis could not identify a specific agreement between anyone except government agents, therefore . . . no conspiracy!

4. Jimmy McCranie was not at the meeting to discuss bomb making, and wanted nothing to do with making bombs.

5. Bob Starr did not want bomb making material on his property.

6. Bob Starr did not have possession of any bomb making material.

7. There never were any pipe bombs, and the 'bomb making factory' consisted of two small sandwich bags of legally obtainable chemicals.

8. Gillis was aware that Starr had numerous conversations with federal law enforcement, and he also knew that Starr had been told by an FBI contact about an FBI threat to his life, one day before the warrant for his arrest was issued.

9. The only people who came to bomb making sessions were government agents.

10. Some government informants placed the evidence (bomb making material) on Starr's property.

That's right folks... Special Agent Steven Gillis of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms admitted to all of this in open court.

HAS IT OCCURRED TO ANYONE THAT THE WRONG GUYS ARE IN JAIL?

The prosecution (the feds, AKA the Unabumblers) refused to allow their own audio tape of the April 23 meeting to be replayed in court. This was their damaging evidence?

U.S. Magistrate Judge Hodges has not yet handed down his decision regarding the disposition of this case. There is no probable cause for trial.

Let us pray for Judge Hodges. Pray for justice, peace and for God's Holy Spirit to move mightily in Judge Hodges' decision.

So much for inside the courtroom; now for the rally, outside...

Over 75 militia supporters, many newcomers, and passersby were surrounded by more than 30 black-suited, heavily armed, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agents, some 100 U.S. Marshals, an unknown number of ATF agents, two SWAT teams, and sniper teams. Government agents and militia members used a good quantity of film taking pictures of each other.

Even though J.J. Johnson had met with the U.S. Marshal Chief on duty in the morning to ensure a peaceful gathering, he was heavily scrutinized all day by at least eight federal agents. Militia and media personnel observed snipers training their rifles upon onlookers outside the courthouse.

A cameraman working for a local CBS affiliate, WMAZ - CH 13, verified that a sniper had his rifle poised at J.J.'s back during the TV interview he filmed.

Resident Agent in Charge, Bart McEntire of the BATF, tried to instigate a confrontation with one rally attendee, as he stuck his finger in his face and shouted, "You guys are starting to piss me off". We have this on audio tape.

Young Bart needs help learning to keep a civil tongue when speaking to his EMPLOYERS. He can be reached at:

Bart McEntire
BATF Special Agent in Charge
3920 Arkright Rd.
Macon, Georgia 31210
(912) 474-0477
If unavailable, try his pager:
(800) 829-2255 PIN 6553060

The media did not hesitate in reporting the overwhelming firepower poised at peaceful militia members, who were armed only with video cameras, 35 mm cameras, two-way radios, and scanners. One U.S. marshal was kind enough, however, to take a group photo of the militia with a militiaman's camera. He then took one with his own camera, as well. Since the GBI agents hung around in groups, we took group photos of them, too.

As a result of our investigation, we believe we'll soon have our two political prisoners released from jail. We also have compiled enough information, thanks to the hard work of Bob Starr and Jimmy McCranie, to expose not only corrupt government agents in Georgia, but also develop an effective policy to conduct counter-sting operations against government counterintelligence operatives, nationwide.

The battle continues. . .