Big arrests in the Brown case

[LPC]

Ed and Elaine have proposed peaceful resolutions to this whole mess. A) You leave them alone and they will continue their peaceful, productive lives not harming anyone as always or B) You can show them the law that required them to pay the tax, and they'll surrender. You seem to want to choose C) Ignore the Constitution and our laws and arrest, hurt, and kill anyone who goes against you.

It is telling that he has omitted "(D) have a trial and let a judge and jury decide, as provided in the Constitution."

[The Observer]

It is telling that he has omitted "(D) have a trial and let a judge and jury decide, as provided in the Constitution."

No, he just considers that to be under option (c).

[Demosthenes]

Check out the comments on the Union Leader story.

The voices of UnionLeader.com readers: To join UnionLeader.com's discussion of the news, use the form below.

how long will we continue to WASTE OUR tax dollars on this loser, I dont care if you kill them or not but storm the place and take these losers in before we have mor eidiots like him trying the same thing. this is a joke and the Browns are the ones laughing. go up there and take them, is it that easy to avoid the Feds, are they afraid to go in??
- Bill, Plainfield

It's time to put the Browns away. I and everyone else in this state pay their taxes, why should they be any different. PAY UP LOSERS!!!
- John, Hooksett

It's time to bring this sorry episode to a close. It's about bloody time that law enforcement people started enforcing the law and putting people in jail for aiding and abetting these justly convicted criminal fugitives.
- Stephen, Manchester

I think it's time to end this nonsense. Storm the castle!!!!
- Barney, Hampstead

Arrest these people already. They broke the law and now they have to pay (literally). I am tired of hearing about the Browns.
- Matt, Manchester

"..Brown told the New Hampshire Union Leader that if federal agents were to storm his property, he and his supporters would come out shooting. He went on to say that if agents were to kill either him or his wife, supporters would systematically find and kill those "sworn to protect him," Brown was convicted of armed robbery years ago. He is just a low-life street thug, not some patriot. Arrest this bozo and get him off the front page. Enough already!!
- Mike, Concord

[RyanMcC]

"In 1960, Brown was 18 when convicted of assault during an attempted armed robbery. In 1976, then-Mass. Gov. Michael Dukakis pardoned him. "

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx ... line=Brown'

I didn't know that one..

[Duke2Earl]

Check out the comments on the Union Leader story.

The voices of UnionLeader.com readers: To join UnionLeader.com's discussion of the news, use the form below.

how long will we continue to WASTE OUR tax dollars on this loser, I dont care if you kill them or not but storm the place and take these losers in before we have mor eidiots like him trying the same thing. this is a joke and the Browns are the ones laughing. go up there and take them, is it that easy to avoid the Feds, are they afraid to go in??
- Bill, Plainfield

It's time to put the Browns away. I and everyone else in this state pay their taxes, why should they be any different. PAY UP LOSERS!!!
- John, Hooksett

It's time to bring this sorry episode to a close. It's about bloody time that law enforcement people started enforcing the law and putting people in jail for aiding and abetting these justly convicted criminal fugitives.
- Stephen, Manchester

I think it's time to end this nonsense. Storm the castle!!!!
- Barney, Hampstead

Arrest these people already. They broke the law and now they have to pay (literally). I am tired of hearing about the Browns.
- Matt, Manchester

"..Brown told the New Hampshire Union Leader that if federal agents were to storm his property, he and his supporters would come out shooting. He went on to say that if agents were to kill either him or his wife, supporters would systematically find and kill those "sworn to protect him," Brown was convicted of armed robbery years ago. He is just a low-life street thug, not some patriot. Arrest this bozo and get him off the front page. Enough already!!
- Mike, Concord

Sounds like the good people of New Hampshire have spoken. Perhaps the government ought to carry out their advice.

[Demosthenes]

Pipe bomb, grenade found at LI home
Agents doing routine raid

(Brookhaven - WABC, September 13, 2007) - Federal agents raiding the home of a Brookhaven man linked to a controversial New Hampshire couple stumbled on an apparent a pipe bomb and hand grenade, sparking a larger search of his surrounding property, authorities said Thursday.

Officials say the agents descended on the home of 22-year-old Jason Gerhard, located at on 2541 Montauk Highway, who was indicted in New Hampshire.

Gerhard was charged in New Hampshire with illegally aiding a couple that failed to surrender for failure to pay income taxes.

Federal agents who went to Gerhard's home late last night for a routine search apparently found what appeared to be a pipe bomb and a hand grenade.

They reportedly called for assistance and various federal and local law enforcement agencies are now searching the home and surrounding property, including agents from the ATF and the Suffolk County Police Bomb Squad.

Gerhard, who recently enlisted in the U.S. Army, was arrested at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

The New Hampshire couple, Ed and Elaine Brown, are part of a fringe movement that believes the federal income taxes are unconstitutional.

Officials say they have been holed up in their home in rural Plainfield, New Hampshire since January. While federal agents have kept the property under surveillance, they say they have not moved in to arrest the couple because of threats of violence.

Gerhard is apparently the fourth person arrested for helping the couple.

[Dezcad]

"In 1960, Brown was 18 when convicted of assault during an attempted armed robbery. In 1976, then-Mass. Gov. Michael Dukakis pardoned him. "

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx ... line=Brown'

I didn't know that one..

If you want some more info about Ed (straight from the horse's a**), read this 1994 interview. And yes, this is a 13 year old interview, but not much has changed with Ed (except that he was an agnostic then and is now subject only to God's laws, not man's) :

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx ... 22d450aee1

[Demosthenes]

The Brown related gun purchases according to the indictments:

Reno Gonzalez:
Serbu .50 rifle

Danny Riley:
High powered .50 rifle
Shot gun

Jason Gerhard:
Bushmaster Rifle
M44 Rifle
Two Serbu .50 rifles
Three Ruger rifles
Unspecified firearm accessories

Where does a 22 year old kid get the money to buy that much expensive fire power in a six month period?

[Cobalt Shiva]

The Brown related gun purchases according to the indictments:

Reno Gonzalez:
Serbu .50 rifle

Danny Riley:
High powered .50 rifle
Shot gun

Jason Gerhard:
Bushmaster Rifle
M44 Rifle
Two Serbu .50 rifles
Three Ruger rifles
Unspecified firearm accessories

Where does a 22 year old kid get the money to buy that much expensive fire power in a six month period?

Amazing how much more disposable income one has when one doesn't pay taxes.

[BBFlatt]

Where does a 22 year old kid get the money to buy that much expensive fire power in a six month period?

Army recruitment bonus?

Your tax dollars at play!

[webhick]

Where does a 22 year old kid get the money to buy that much expensive fire power in a six month period?

If Ed really does have money stashed, he could have given the kid cash to arm himself. That way, when the kid dies taking a bullet for Ed, Ed can scream to anyone who will hear him that the government is killing children.

Either that, or he's pimping out Sour Patch Kids.

[Demosthenes]

Amazing how much more disposable income one has when one doesn't pay taxes.

One has to have a job before evading taxes is an issue.

Just those two Serbu .50 cal rifles total $4,400.

[Demosthenes]

Gerhard's weapons were found in his room in his mom's home.

Brookhaven home raided in tax-protest case
At least one pipe bomb found
BY ROBERT KESSLER | robert.kessler@newsday.com
11:03 AM EDT, September 13, 2007

Federal agents found at least one pipe bomb during a search of the home of a Brookhaven man who has been charged with aiding two fellow tax protesters in resisting arrest, according to a federal search warrant.

The pipe bomb was discovered by federal marshals late Wednesday night at the home of Jason Gerhard, 22, of 2541 Montauk Hwy., according to the warrant filed late Thursday morning by federal prosecutors in the U.S. District Court in Central Islip.

Federal agents and members of the Suffolk police bomb squad have been searching Gerhard's home and surrounding buildings since early Thursday morning, looking for explosive devices after the pipe bomb was found during a routine search of the Brookhaven hamlet house, officials said.

Gerhard, who recently enlisted in the Army, was arrested Wednesday at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri on charges of planning to forcibly resist the attempt by federal agents to arrest a New Hampshire couple, Edward and Elaine Brown.

The Browns are part of a fringe movement that believes the federal income tax is unconstitutional. They have refused to surrender since January after bing convicted in federal court in New Hampshire for failing to pay federal income taxes, and have been holed up on their 100-plus-acre property in in rural Plainfield since January.

While federal agents have kept the property under surveillance for nine months, they have not moved in to arrest the two, fearing another potentially fatal shotout like those that occurred on Ruby Ridge, Idaho, or Waco, Texas.

In yesterday's indictment filed in federal court in New Hampshire, Gerhard was one of four people around the country charged with "publicly announcing their intention to forcibly resist efforts by the United States Marshals Service to arrest Edward and Elaine Brown."

Gerhard was said to have lived for a time at the Browns' wooded compound and helped them keep an eye on federal agents surrounding the property and buy or accept delivery of six rifles intended for the Browns to use to resist arrest, the warrant said.

Following Gerhard's arrest in Missouri, marshals went to his Brookhaven address to search his bedroom, according to the warrant. Gerhard's mother, Perry Zukowski, allowed them into the bedroom, and the marshals found "an active pipe bomb containing gunpowder located in a storage box," a .223 caliber rifle and ammunition, and "literature promoting anti-government activities," the warrant said. The specifics of the literature was not described.

The marshals then contacted federal prosecutors, who obtained a search warrant from a federal magistrate to begin the search of the entire property.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District could not be reached for comment.

[Kimokeo]

"This was a tax case," Monier added, "but over the last seven months, the Browns have allegedly: obstructed justice and encouraged others to assist them. Ed Brown has threatened to kill law enforcement officers and other governmental officials. So, our message to the Browns is clear: do the right thing, call us, and surrender peacefully."

I understand the correctness of saying it, but after all that's been said, posted, and acted upon, is their harm in stating it as fact?

[Demosthenes]

Local man charged in multi-state raid
Feds: Cohoes resident aided New Hampshire tax evaders

By CAROL DeMARE, Staff writer
Click byline for more stories by writer.
Last updated: 1:55 p.m., Thursday, September 13, 2007

COHOES - A city man, arrested by federal authorities in a multi-state raid, was among four sympathizers who spent time with a convicted, tax-evading husband and wife in New Hampshire, providing them with food, weapons and support, authorities said today.

In coordinated raids in four states officials swooped down on four suspects Wednesday, all of whom were named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in New Hampshire.

Daniel Riley, 39, of Cohoes was among the friends of the couple, Ed and Elaine Brown, who have barricaded themselves in their secluded home since January. The associates are facing charges of obstructing justice and being accessories.

Riley, a gun collector, was confronted in the driveway of his home at 62 Younglove Ave. and tried to run but got only about 15 yards, law enforcement officials said.


Confiscated from his home were at least one 50-caliber sniper rifle and at least two AK-47 assault rifles. Several other weapons were taken, officials said.

Riley, who lists his occupation as electrician/handyman, has visited the Browns in recent months.

The 2 p.m. raid was led by federal marshals, including members of the Capital District Fugitive Task Force. Assisting marshals were Cohoes police and the State Police Violent Felony Warrant Squad. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called in after the weapons were found.

In April, Ed and Elaine Brown were sentenced -- though they weren't in the New Hampshire federal courtroom -- to more than five years in prison. That followed a January conviction by a federal jury of scheming to avoid federal income taxes by hiding $1.9 million of income between 1996 and 2003.

The Browns have provisions on their mountain-top, concrete-fortified home in Plainfield to sustain them for more than a year and have threatened a gun battle should authorities attempt to take them, officials said.

Power has been cut off to the home to disable their telephone and Internet service -- the couple uses the Internet extensively to keep in touch with their supporters. But authorities believe the house has generators -- possibly solar or wind powered.

The couple has kept in touch with the outside world through prepaid cell phones supplied by supporters, officials said. Through blogs and Web sites, the Browns claim they can survive on generators and their 103 wooded acres will keep them warm this winter. Their home is on an isolated dirt road and includes a turret that offers a 360-degree view of the property.

Marshals nationwide -- whose job it is to track down and bring in fugitives -- have had their eye on the Browns' home as well as on supporters of the anti-government movement who regularly visit the couple and carry their message that there is no law requiring them to pay taxes.

In June, Riley made such a stop, and while walking the couple's dog near the home, he was arrested by marshals. After being detained for a short period, he was released without being charged.

The rural property owned by Edward Lewis Brown, 65, and Elaine Brown, 66, is expansive with several defensive positions to make it difficult to enter. Elaine Brown was a successful dentist, while her husband was unemployed, before they began their campaign refusing to acknowledge the government and pay taxes.

At one point, Elaine Brown was out on bail and living in Worcester, Mass., at her son's home. She kept court dates and wore an ankle bracelet that monitored her movements. At some point, she cut off the bracelet and drove to the New Hampshire home to join her husband, officials said.

Federal authorities said Riley's criminal past includes low-level convictions, none of them felonies. After his arrest this week, he was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Randolph Treece in Albany and immediately extradited to New Hampshire to face the indictment.

In addition to the accessory after the fact charge, Riley and the others were charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a law enforcement officer, possession and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States.

Also taken into custody during the raids were Cirino Gonzales, 30, of Alice, Texas; Jason Gerhard, 22, of Brookhaven, N.Y.; and Robert Wolffe, 50, of Randolph, Vt. Gonzales was arrested in his hometown, Gerhard at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Wolffe in Hartford, Vt.

The current investigation into the Browns began after they were sentenced. Authorities said they will continue attempts to convince the Browns to surrender.

"This was a tax case," U.S. Marshal for New Hampshire Stephen Monier said in a statement. "But over the last seven months the Browns have allegedly obstructed justice and encouraged others to assist them. Ed Brown has threatened to kill law enforcement officers and government officials. So, our message to the Browns is clear: Do the right thing, call us, and surrender peacefully."

[Nikki]

If this keeps up, the book's NEVER going to get published.

First, Demo's to busy to concentrate on the book.

Second, all this activity is going to warrant adding a couple of additional chapters.

[Demosthenes]

If this keeps up, the book's NEVER going to get published.

First, Demo's to busy to concentrate on the book.

Second, all this activity is going to warrant adding a couple of additional chapters.

You have no idea. Well, technically, it sounds like you have a pretty good idea.

I need sleep.

[Imalawman]

Riley, a gun collector, was confronted in the driveway of his home at 62 Younglove Ave. and tried to run but got only about 15 yards, law enforcement officials said.

I guess he didn't run as well this time as he did the last. I wonder if he stopped when threatened this time or if he ran when they pulled a gun. All this tazing (is that a word) can't be good for his nervous system.

Confiscated from his home were at least one 50-caliber sniper rifle and at least two AK-47 assault rifles. Several other weapons were taken, officials said.

I find it very disturbing that a crackpot like this guy has that kind of firepower. I think he might be in some deep shit now though. Hopefully he'll spend some time in the pokey. Something tells me he's not going to get bail. I could be wrong though.

[Dezcad]

So, our message to the Browns is clear: Do the right thing, call us, and surrender peacefully."

The problem is that Ed Lewis and Elaine Alice aren't getting the message. As Elaine said on their radio show this morning -

Ed and Elaine Brown are dead and people should stop referring to us as such. We are Ed Lewis and Elaine Alice, living souls.

[Dezcad]

Riley, a gun collector, was confronted in the driveway of his home at 62 Younglove Ave. and tried to run but got only about 15 yards, law enforcement officials said.

Run Forrest Run!