North American Militia members convicted for plotting terrorism
[January 29, 1999]
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lloyd Meyer called the verdict
"tremendous" even though jurors rejected three counts of a
nine-count indictment against North American Militia member Randy Graham.
"An armed and dangerous man is no longer walking the streets,"
Meyer said, according to the Associated Press.
Graham, 42, was convicted of plotting to blow up federal property and
threatening to attack and murder government officials. He faces up to 30
years in prison when he is sentenced on May 5, 1999. In addition to these
charges, Graham was found guilty of growing marijuana to finance the
conspiracy. The federal jury acquitted Graham on charges of possessing
illegal machine guns seized from another militia member's home.
According to defense lawyer Jeffrey O'Hara, Graham was prosecuted for
expressing unpopular beliefs in private telephone conversations, which the
FBI recorded under court order. No decision about an appeal will be made
until after sentencing.
But prosecutors insisted the case had little to do with simple talk.
"He's being prosecuted for plotting to do terrible things he didn't
do because he was stopped," Meyer insisted during closing arguments,
standing before photos and maps representing targets Graham planned to
attack.
Graham is the second member of the militia group to be convicted in the
case. In November 1998, Bradford Metcalf, 47, was found guilty on weapons
and conspiracy charges by a federal jury, and faces sentencing in April
1999. Co-defendant Kenneth Carter, also 47, is currently cooperating with
authorities and similarly faces sentencing in April. The charges stem from
a raid last year at Metcalf's home where authorities seized thousands of
rounds of ammunition and loaded weapons.
Source: The Associated Press, January 27, 1999
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