The Georgia Republic Militia was a militia-movement organization based in Georgia. The group became known for openly campaigning for planning an armed campaign against the federal government of the United States and the seizure of more than a dozen explosive devices.[1][2]
| Georgia Republic Militia | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Frank Smith Robert Starr |
| Dates of operation | 1995-27 April 1996 |
| Active regions | Georgia, United States |
| Ideology | Christian nationalism Conservatism Nationalist conservatism Libertarianism Right-wing Sovereign citizen movement Social conservatism |
History
editApril 26, 1996, the Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrest two leaders of the militia group, in addition to confiscating ten pipe bombs and materials for the elaboration of explosives. The first reports said the group planned to attack with explosives buildings used by Summer Olympics in Atlanta. But a senior federal law enforcement official said there was no indication of any connection to attack the Olympics.[3][4][5] The authorities arrested the leaders in the rural area of Macon in Georgia, and confirmed that the group counted from 11 to 15 members, apparently hold the bombs at their homes in case of "government irruption", according to a federal sources.[6] In a second raid Robert Starr was arrested in Knoxville, Georgia, during the morning of April 26. Star was armed with a semi-automatic AK-47, a source said, but offered no resistance.[7][8]
The arrested militants ATF agents uncovered an alleged bomb production site near Macon in rural Georgia after an investigation that intensified when an ATF informant allegedly learned of plans to construct as many as 40 bombs. Members of the Georgia Republic Militia were building and planning to distribute homemade, shrapnel bombs among the group "to defend their rights against the invasion of the government," a federal affidavit states.[5][9] The investigations start when ATF agents discovered an alleged bomb production site near the town of Macon, Georgia after an investigation that escalated when an ATF informant allegedly learned of plans to build up to 40 bombs. The militants were building and planning to distribute homemade shrapnel bombs among the group "to defend their rights against invasion by the government," says the authorities.[10][8] Frank Smith, one of the founders of the militia that Starr headed until his arrest, said that the two parted ways after the members began conducting armed maneuvers in the forests.
Various militia members from Georgia condemned the intention of use bombs to "defend his cause".[8]
Convictions
editNovember 7, 1996, three militants were convicted.[11][12] One of the suspects William James McCranie Jr (30) a plumber from Crawford County, were charged in a "conspiracy to possess explosive devices" and arraigned before federal magistrates in Columbus and Macon yesterday.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Georgia Republic Militia – United States". TRAC Terrorism. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "FEDERAL AGENTS ARREST 2 LEADERS OF GEORGIA MILITIA IN BOMB PLOT". Deseret News. April 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "Federal Agents Arrest Militia Leaders in Alleged Bomb Plot". APNews. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "2 militia leaders arrested". South Coast Today. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ a b "Two Militia members arrested in alleged bomb plot in Georgia". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "Federal Agents Arrest Militia Leaders in Alleged Bomb Plot". AP News. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "2 Georgia Militia Group Members Face Bomb Counts". Los Angeles Times. April 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ a b c "ATF unearths bomb plant near Atlanta". CNN. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ Smothers, Ronald (July 28, 1996). "BOMB AT THE OLYMPICS: MILITIA;Investigators Reviewing Previous Bomb Case". The New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "NEIGHBORS PERPLEXED BY ARREST OF MILITIAMEN". Sun Sentinfel-South Florida. April 28, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "3 Militia Men Are Convicted Of Conspiracy". The New York Times. November 7, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "Three Convicted in Militia-Bombs Case". AP News. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- ^ "FEDERAL JUDGE NIXES BOND FOR PAIR WITH PIPE BOMBS". Orlando Sentinel. May 4, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2020.