Bandera County Sheriff's Office Issues Domestic Terrorism Warning

[majormadmax]

WTH?

Bandera County Sheriff's Office Issues Domestic Terrorism Warning

Law Enforcement Agency Concerned Radical Anti-Government Groups May Be Moving Into Area

Tim Gerber, KSAT 12 News Reporter

Thursday, June 9, 2011

BANDERA, Texas -- The Bandera County Sheriff's Office issued a warning Thursday to citizens about an anti-government movement known for acts of domestic terrorism.

The law enforcement agency said followers of The Sovereign Citizens Movement have been known to carry out violent acts, including killing law enforcement officers and other public servants.

The sheriff's office told KSAT-12 News the warning was prompted by the recent shooting death of Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Kenneth Vann.

"We have domestic terrorism right at our doorstep," said Capt. Charlie Hicks of the Bandera County Sheriff's Office.

Hicks said while there's no evidence Vann's death had any links to the Sovereign Citizens, it's the same type of crime followers are known for.

For example, in last May, a father and his teenage son opened fire on two police officers with an assault rifle during a routine traffic stop in West Memphis, Ark. News reports said the incident was sparked by the suspects' refusal to present a valid driver's license. The officers were killed in the shootout and the father and son died in a second shootout with officers a short time later.

"That's our main concern. Citizen safety and police officer safety in this area," Hicks said.

According to Hicks, followers of the anti-government, anarchist movement, share the belief that the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution has tricked Americans into becoming citizens of the United States and has offered them privileges, such as driver's licenses and other government benefits, which act as so-called hidden contracts through which Americans effectively have given up their sovereignty.

Hicks said followers are often very vocal about their beliefs.

"They've very serious in their beliefs, and very serious when they do go to violence," Hicks said. "They'll kill you in a New York minute."

Hicks said while a training camp for similar anti-government groups was discovered in Kerr County in the past, there is no evidence any members are currently operating in Bandera County. But Hicks said residents should still be cautious.

"Don't be getting into heated arguments with these people, because the potential for violence is there," Hicks said.

The FBI considers the Sovereign Citizens Movement one of the nation's top domestic terror threats. Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols was a follower and many believe Jared Loughner, the man who shot Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Ariz., in January, is also a believer.

Hicks said citizens are urged to report any suspicious activity to the Bandera County Sheriff's Office or your nearest local law enforcement agency.

You can read the Bandera County Sheriff's Office press release here.

Anyone care to speculate on the motivation behind this? I've seen nothing to substantiate such a warning...

Cheers! M2

 

[Texas1911]

The article stated they suspect the guy that shot Officer Vann was a member of follower of this group.

 

[Clockwork]

Haven't heard of these guys. I take it the dirtball that is alleged to have shot Officer Vann hasn't actually confessed to being a member?

 

[CAL]

The article stated they suspect the guy that shot Officer Vann was a member of follower of this group.

Not true. There is no evidence supporting that theory.

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[matefrio]

Hicks said while there's no evidence Vann's death had any links to the Sovereign Citizens,

 

[Texan2]

Haven't heard of these guys. I take it the dirtball that is alleged to have shot Officer Vann hasn't actually confessed to being a member?

They are on the LE radar big time. Have been for awhile
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[Mexican_Hippie]

Pure fear mongering and slander against Anarchists, LOL

True Anarchists are pacifists and advocate non-aggression similar to Libertarians.

No...I'm not an Anarchist.

Maybe this specific group is a threat, but anti-government ideas aren't.

 

[Angered_Kabar]

I've found the people that call themselves anarchists are about the farthest you can be from the definition of anarchy. Not saying this group is, but the kids calling themselves anarchists are militant marxists.

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

I agree. That label had been so misused that most people don't even know what it means anymore.

If this group is killing or threatening government officials they need to be stopped. In the US we have way too many avenues to peacefully bring change. We have free speech, assembly, the internet, voting, campaigning, etc. I comment a lot on where I feel the state uses too much force, but it goes both ways. I hope people here don't misunderstand what I'm saying. I'm for non-violence all around if it can be avoided.

 

[Texas1911]

Not true. There is no evidence supporting that theory.

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"Hicks said while there's no evidence Vann's death had any links to the Sovereign Citizens, it's the same type of crime followers are known for."

That's what the article said ... it can be "not true", but that is what the article stated.

 

[Jakashh]

I remember hearing about these guys a few years ago. Iirc they have video of the father and son shooting at the officer.

 

[CAL]

"Hicks said while there's no evidence Vann's death had any links to the Sovereign Citizens, it's the same type of crime followers are known for."

That's what the article said ... it can be "not true", but that is what the article stated.

That's not what you originally said (below), to which my reply was made to. They do not, in fact, suspect him of being either a member or follower of the group.

The article stated they suspect the guy that shot Officer Vann was a member of follower of this group.