Buhtz, Barton

[wserra]

It was my understanding a book by the same name preceded Hendrickson.

Didn't know that.

Different garbage by the same name . . .

[Quixote]

Allow me to rephrase: "Yeah, I was a thief, but a really dumb thief."

Maybe not that dumb. The BOEs didn't have to fool the government, only Barton's customers. And only until their check cleared.

[Imalawman]

It was my understanding a book by the same name preceded Hendrickson.

Didn't know that.

Different garbage by the same name . . .

It was discussed in the case, Ray v. Williams, 2005 WL 697041.

[Judge Roy Bean]

They were actually doing a pretty credible job until this one:

Defendants in other jurisdictions charged with similar offenses have not received sentences nearly this lengthy. One of the original proponents of the redemption theory received a
significantly shorter sentence despite the fact that his loss figure was substantially higher.

Hmm...the equal application of justice theory - a swing and a miss. A significantly shorter sentence for one of the "original proponents" didn't seem to have a deterent effect on ol' Barton. And since part of sentencing is based on deterence, methinks this wasn't the highlight of the memorandum.

But I seriously doubt he'll do much more than two years at Club Fed and three years of supervision.

[Dezcad]

Update:

11/29/2007 144 Motion to Withdraw Plea of Guilty (Redacted for Electronic Filing) Oral Argument requested by Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg. (Wood, Terri) (Entered: 11/29/2007)
11/29/2007 145 Emergency Declaration by Counsel regarding Motion to Withdraw Plea of Guilty (Redacted for Electronic Filing)144 filed by Defendant Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg (Redacted for Electronic Filing) (Wood, Terri) (Entered: 11/29/2007)
11/29/2007 146 Certificate of Service by Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg regarding Motion to Withdraw Plea of Guilty (Redacted for Electronic Filing)144, Declaration145 of Counsel (Wood, Terri) (Entered: 11/29/2007)
12/05/2007 147 Sealed Document; Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea by Rebecca Shollenburg. (wk) (Entered: 12/07/2007)
12/05/2007 148 Sealed Declaration by Terri Wood regarding Sealed Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea 147. (wk) (Entered: 12/07/2007)
12/05/2007 149 Certificate of Service by Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg regarding Declaration 148, and Sealed Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea 147. (wk) (Entered: 12/07/2007)
12/11/2007 150 Motion to Continue / Reset Sentencing by Steven Dale Kelton. (McCrea, Shaun) (Entered: 12/11/2007)
12/11/2007 151 Reply to Response to Motion by Barton Albert Buhtz regarding Motion to Dismiss Rule 29138 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit 1# 2 Exhibit Exhibit 2# 3 Exhibit Exhibit 3# 4 Exhibit Exhibit 4) (Shepard, Lynn) (Entered: 12/11/2007)
12/12/2007 152 Amended Response to Motion by USA as to Barton Albert Buhtz regarding Motion to Dismiss138 filed by Defendant Barton Albert Buhtz (Rule 29 Motion for Dismissal) (Fitzgerald, William) (Entered: 12/12/2007)
12/12/2007 153 Sentencing Memorandum filed by USA as to Barton Albert Buhtz (Fitzgerald, William) (Entered: 12/12/2007)
12/13/2007 154 Motion to Continue / Reset Sentencing by Barton Albert Buhtz. (Shepard, Lynn) (Entered: 12/13/2007)
12/14/2007 155 Scheduling Order as to Barton Albert Buhtz and Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg (related documents: Motion to Withdraw Plea of Guilty (Redacted for Electronic Filing)144, Motion to Continue / Reset Sentencing154 ) Oral Argument on both motions is set for 12/17/2007 at 10:00AM in Medford before Judge Owen M. Panner. (wk) (Entered: 12/14/2007)
12/14/2007 156 ORDER Granting 150 Motion to Continue Sentencing as to Steven Dale Kelton (5). Sentencing is RESCHEDULED to 2/11/2008 at 10:00AM in Medford before Judge Owen M. Panner. (wk) (Entered: 12/14/2007)
12/14/2007 157 Response to Motion by USA as to Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg regarding Motion to Withdraw Plea of Guilty144 filed by Defendant Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg (Fitzgerald, William) (Entered: 12/14/2007)
12/14/2007 158 Sentencing Memorandum by Barton Albert Buhtz (Shepard, Lynn) (Entered: 12/14/2007)
12/17/2007 159 ORDER Denying 138 Motion to Dismiss as to Barton Albert Buhtz (1); granting motion to continue sentencing and setting sentencing for 2/11/2008 at 10:00 in Medford. The court finds that defendant Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg is entitled to withdraw her guilty plea and grants her Motion to Withdraw Plea of Guilty 144. The court receives Exhibit 1, under seal, from Defendant Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg; Ms. Shollenburg enters a not guilty plea to all counts. Order excluding the time between 12/17/2007 and 5/19/2008. By Judge Owen M. Panner. (wk) (Entered: 12/17/2007)
12/17/2007 160 Scheduling Order as to Barton Albert Buhtz. Sentencing is set for 2/11/2008 at 10:00AM in Medford before Judge Owen M. Panner. (wk) (Entered: 12/17/2007)
12/17/2007 161 ORDER Granting 154 Motion to Continue Sentencing as to Barton Albert Buhtz (1) by Judge Owen M. Panner (wk) (Entered: 12/17/2007)
12/17/2007 162 Sealed Exhibit to Defendant Rebecca Shollenberg's Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea 144. (wk) (Entered: 12/18/2007)

[wserra]

And here all this time I thought Todd was supposed to be exonerating him by proving the evil banking system didn’t exist or some such nonsense.

Seems like having Todd testify for you is more akin to a sure fire way to get yourself convicted

Ah, but that's because the ebil goobermint got to Todd before he testified. A self-designated "amicus curiae" named Janet Phelan (google her for some amusement) filed this affidavit describing how the AUSA intimidated Todd by asking him beforehand if he was going to testify that the "treasury accounts" really existed. It appears that poor Ms. Phelan had to file this on her own because none of the lawyers would return her calls.

I'm shocked, I tell you. Shocked.

On another note, Buhtz has filed eleven letters to Judge Panner with an amended sentencing memorandum, the original of which I described above. Remember how Barton's scheme was so dumb it could never have worked, and how that makes him worthy of less time? In any event, many of these letters come complete with Kool-Aid stains, such as full colons. I doubt they'll help a lot, especially if Judge Panner is familiar with the type. The last letter in the bunch is from Barton himself. He tells a couple of stories, then writes how God has forgiven him for what he has done (he doesn't specify what that might be).

I actually saw someone say this to a federal judge at his sentencing. The judge, without batting an eye, said "Well, that's His prerogative" and proceeded to whack the guy.

[notorial dissent]

I’d say good ole Bart is really terribly sorry that they finally caught up with him and that he hasn’t been able to wiggle out of it. Curiously he doesn’t seem to be sorry about any of the stuff he actually did. Curiously enough!!!

[Demosthenes]

02/11/2008 175 Minutes of Proceedings:Sentencing Hearing before Judge Owen M. Panner as to Defendant Barton Albert Buhtz. See Formal Judgment. Defendant advised of right to appeal. Counsel Present for Plaintiff: William E. Fitzgerald. Counsel Present for Defendant: Lynn Shepard. (Court Reporter Cynthia Thomas-Klosterman) (wk) (Entered: 02/11/2008)

02/11/2008 176 Administrative Correction of the Record: A clerical error pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P 36 has been discovered in the case record referencing document [175] and the Clerk is directed to make the following administrative corrections to the record and to notify all parties accordingly: The court ordered that defendant could remain on pretrial release pending appeal with the added condition that defendant shall not, under any circumstances, advise or enter into consultation with anyone regarding financial or legal matters. By Judge Owen M. Panner (wk) (Entered: 02/12/2008)

[Dr. Caligari]

What was the sentence?

[Demosthenes]

36 months in the pokey followed by 36 months of supervised release.

[Demosthenes]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2008
CONTACT: Byron Chatfield
PHONE: (541) 776-3564
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/or

Sunland, California Man Sentenced in Southern Oregon in Counterfeit Treasuries Case

Barton Buhtz Sentenced for Conspiring with Three Oregonians to Pass Fictitious Instruments

Medford, Ore. - Barton Albert Buhtz, 68, of Sunland, California, was sentenced yesterday in United States District Court to 36 months imprisonment, to be followed by 36 months of supervised release, for his conviction in a counterfeit treasuries case. Last October, a federal jury found Buhtz guilty of conspiracy to pass approximately $3.8 million in false U.S. Treasury instruments and multiple counts of passing fictitious financial instruments. Buhtz remains free pending an appeal.

In September 2005, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Buhtz, Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg, Steven Douglas Shollenburg, Richard Roy Aquila and Steven Dale Kelton with using fake checks drawn on non-existent Treasury accounts to pay property taxes in Jackson and Coos Counties, to pay federal income taxes (to the IRS), and to try to buy property, recreational vehicles and other goods and services. The incidents occurred between August 2001 and April 2003. The indictment alleged that Buhtz, a self-styled "consumer advocate" conducted promotional seminars regarding the "Redemption" process in Oregon and elsewhere.

The Redemption theory rests on the fiction that government funds are placed in secret accounts at the U.S. Treasury upon the birth of each person born in the United States. Buhtz' presentations convinced many to join the Redemption movement and encouraged them to use so-called bills of exchange to access the secret Treasury accounts to discharge debts to third parties. Though Buhtz did not demand payment for his services, he did accept "voluntary donations."

At trial, the government put on evidence that, in 2001, co-defendants Steven Douglas Shollenburg, Rebecca Adelle Shollenburg, Richard Roy Aquila and Steven Dale Kelton attended a Redemption presentation by Buhtz at the Rogue Regency Inn in Medford. There was evidence that, after the presentation, the group began passing fraudulent Treasury checks, which Buhtz approved, to a Medford bank. The Shollenburgs and Richard Aquila, aided and abetted by Buhtz, convinced the bank to honor the phony checks in connection with the purchase of two new vehicles from a Medford dealership. The vehicles were later returned when the bank caught on to the fraud.
At trial, an expert from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency testified that the defendants' financial documents, purportedly drawn on the Treasury, were bogus and fraudulent. Another expert, who worked for the Federal Reserve Bank for 20 years, agreed and added that the philosophy known as Redemption was a scam.

A website operated by the U.S. Department of Treasury sets forth information on a number of fraudulent schemes such as the one involved in this case. It can be found at http://www.treasurydirect.gov/instit/st ... /fraud.htm. It describes the procedure Buhtz advocated as "bogus and incomprehensible."

Rebecca Shollenburg of Prineville, Oregon, Richard Aquila of Medford, Oregon, and Steven Kelton of Central Point, Oregon, originally charged in the same indictment with Barton Buhtz and former Medford resident Steven Shollenburg, pled guilty to conspiracy to pass fictitious instruments and testified at trial as part of their plea agreements with the government.

This case was investigated by special agents of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "IRS special agents, federal prosecutors and other law enforcement officers work tirelessly to protect all Americans from illegal and deceptive advice such as that promoted by this individual," said Kenneth J. Hines, the Special Agent in Charge for IRS Criminal Investigation in the Pacific Northwest. "The passing of fake checks in order to pay taxes and purchase material goods is not only ridiculous, it's criminal, and was treated as such through this three year prison sentence."

For additional information, please contact Assistant United States Attorney William E. (Bud) Fitzgerald at 541-465-6846.

[wserra]

Buhtz' appellant's brief is due on May 27. He was represented by counsel at sentencing. If he is represented on appeal, the brief will not be the fun and games it would otherwise be.

C'mon, Bart, you can do it! Doesn't having a lawyer make you a ward of the court?

[Judge Roy Bean]

At one time Buhtz was touring the country with a guy by the name of Sam Davis. I believe he's the Nevada-based goofball who claimed the Treasury Department is actually a bank - but that's from memory. However, I think he was one of the people who fell in with Eddie Kahn.

So has Davis been indicted? Convicted?

[fortinbras]

Barton Buhtz sentenced to (a mere) three years for his funny money:

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ss ... ption.html

OREGON LOCAL NEWS
Medford judge gives 'redemption movement' scammer three years in prison
by Bryan Denson, The Oregonian
Tuesday September 08, 2009, 6:02 PM

A federal judge in Medford sentenced a California man Tuesday to three years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to pass an estimated $3.8 million in false U.S. Treasury instruments.

The government accused self-styled consumer advocate Barton Albert Buhtz, 70, of conducting promotional seminars in which he sold people on the fictitious theory that federal funds are put in secret Treasury accounts as each citizen is born in the U.S.

Buhtz convinced people to join the so-called "Redemption movement" and use "bills of exchange" to access the secret accounts and discharge their debts, according to the U.S. attorney's office for Oregon.

The government alleged that between August 2001 and April 2003, Buhtz conspired with at least four other people to use fake checks drawn on nonexistent Treasury accounts to pay taxes and purchase property, vehicles and other goods and services.

A jury in 2007 found Buhtz guilty of conspiracy to pass false Treasury instruments and multiple counts of passing fictitious financial instruments. He was sentenced in February 2008 to three years in prison. But he appealed, which prompted Tuesday's resentencing.

--Bryan Denson, bryandenson@news.oregonian.com

[kennyrazor]

The guy got thrown in the slammer b/c he was trying to take a "PRIVATE" offer for settlement and redeem "PUBLIC" funds, persons operating in the public are crazy they will not recognize Private settlement. He was right about the accounts but they are not backed by anything it is just numbers, he shouldn't have contracted to the courts offer to settle in the public. He should have only arrived in the public as the Creditor and remained in honor by acceptance, he at some point ARGUED his case/ and or facts, the facts are on the moon, the courts cannot act on a Private man in honor only his bond, if he bonds/agrees under being jailed then he is allowing that to be his only remedy, since there is nothing to pay with and he was arguing that fact they said ok we agree it's obvious you have nothing to pay with so if you'll just sign here per say you can work off this debt, we will just put you in our warehouse for storage. He was deposed, and was thus removed from office of a private sovereign, and was put into a joiner contract glueing the man to the company employee of the US.

[Pottapaug1938]

The guy got thrown in the slammer b/c he was trying to take a "PRIVATE" offer for settlement and redeem "PUBLIC" funds, persons operating in the public are crazy they will not recognize Private settlement. He was right about the accounts but they are not backed by anything it is just numbers, he shouldn't have contracted to the courts offer to settle in the public. He should have only arrived in the public as the Creditor and remained in honor by acceptance, he at some point ARGUED his case/ and or facts, the facts are on the moon, the courts cannot act on a Private man in honor only his bond, if he bonds/agrees under being jailed then he is allowing that to be his only remedy, since there is nothing to pay with and he was arguing that fact they said ok we agree it's obvious you have nothing to pay with so if you'll just sign here per say you can work off this debt, we will just put you in our warehouse for storage. He was deposed, and was thus removed from office of a private sovereign, and was put into a joiner contract glueing the man to the company employee of the US.

Kenny, even if what you said wasn't an almost incomprehensible, disjointed rant, you still wouldn't have made any worthwhile points. Check out the prior "redemptionist" threads on this forum, and you'll see what I nean.

[The Operative]

The guy got thrown in the slammer b/c he was trying to take a "PRIVATE" offer for settlement and redeem "PUBLIC" funds, persons operating in the public are crazy they will not recognize Private settlement. He was right about the accounts but they are not backed by anything it is just numbers, he shouldn't have contracted to the courts offer to settle in the public. He should have only arrived in the public as the Creditor and remained in honor by acceptance, he at some point ARGUED his case/ and or facts, the facts are on the moon, the courts cannot act on a Private man in honor only his bond, if he bonds/agrees under being jailed then he is allowing that to be his only remedy, since there is nothing to pay with and he was arguing that fact they said ok we agree it's obvious you have nothing to pay with so if you'll just sign here per say you can work off this debt, we will just put you in our warehouse for storage. He was deposed, and was thus removed from office of a private sovereign, and was put into a joiner contract glueing the man to the company employee of the US.

For that, you get a [dis]honorable mention in the Quatloos word salad contest.

[Lambkin]

I thought his question was quite clear; the answer is "more lithium".

[Judge Roy Bean]

The guy got thrown in the slammer b/c he was trying to take a "PRIVATE" offer for settlement and redeem "PUBLIC" funds, persons operating in the public are crazy they will not recognize Private settlement. He was right about the accounts but they are not backed by anything it is just numbers, he shouldn't have contracted to the courts offer to settle in the public. He should have only arrived in the public as the Creditor and remained in honor by acceptance, he at some point ARGUED his case/ and or facts, the facts are on the moon, the courts cannot act on a Private man in honor only his bond, if he bonds/agrees under being jailed then he is allowing that to be his only remedy, since there is nothing to pay with and he was arguing that fact they said ok we agree it's obvious you have nothing to pay with so if you'll just sign here per say you can work off this debt, we will just put you in our warehouse for storage. He was deposed, and was thus removed from office of a private sovereign, and was put into a joiner contract glueing the man to the company employee of the US.

Translation:

Rapid afterburning of a bicycle armchair's victory bears happenstance, belonging to the eleventh certificate and within the orangutan's amicable beadblasting. Without assumptions that make locomotives into liquidity, yellow garage articles have more circumstance than in previous dishwashers, so hiking underwater will make cornbread. Unless bad hair descends on the Atlantic and moon rocks roll into oncoming traffic, bears will summon the abstract solicitation without considering banana trees or the angle of incidence. Everyone can't delay the green river barge and it's determination of guilt no matter how full the tank, so before Moscow burns to the gravel pile, it takes matters of substance to digest the dirigible. If you hamper the progress of meatloaf and artichokes the penalty will most likely include finding clubs being used as icepicks in the third-grade sociology department. Since that is not on the fourth floor, the guides are misleading and your electric shoehorn can be used to repair the broken drawbridge.

Your welcome.

[Nikki]

KennyRazor = yet another excellent example of the power of the Internet: If something's posted 10,000 times, it MUST be true.

It doesn't matter if you understand it or even if you can't even do a decent cut-and-paste job; as long as you can cite back to the verious sites, you're on solid ground.