2 suspicious devices found in east Texas mailboxes

[sonias]

AAS 3/30/10
2 suspicious devices found in east Texas mailboxes

LONGVIEW, Texas — Two more possible pipe bombs were found in east Texas mailboxes Tuesday, even as the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it would add resources to investigate a serious of explosive devices found in that part of the state in recent weeks.

U.S. Postal Inspector Amanda McMurrey said the latest devices were found in a mail collection box in Longview and in a residential mailbox in a subdivision on Lake Cherokee, about 15 miles southeast of Longview.

An apparent pipe bomb was found in the mail collection box at an office building just north of downtown Longview about 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, McMurrey said. The office building was evacuated, she said. Longview is about 120 miles east of Dallas.

(snip)
The pipe bombs are the latest of at least 14 incidents involving some sort of bomb or bomb lookalike. Many have been found in mail collection boxes, although one apparent pipe bomb was found Monday in the front yard of a business in Tyler, about 90 miles east of Dallas.

(snip)
Federal officials also told the newspaper they were investigating the discoveries of suspected incendiary devices during an investigation into church fires last month.

More trouble in East Texas! :banghead:

Let me guess - right wing talk radio and Fox News is all these people listen to. :mad:

[sonias]

1. Federal agents investigate pipe bombs found in Longview area mailboxes

More news from the local paper in the area:

Longview News Journal 3/31/10
Federal agents investigate pipe bombs found in Longview area mailboxes

Local and federal authorities on Tuesday evacuated several Longview businesses and closed a section of Judson Road for more than three hours while they investigated and detonated a reported pipe bomb.

(snip)
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the scene, and a bomb disposal unit detonated the device about 3 1/2 hours after it was discovered. McMurrey said the device was not an immediate threat to the community.

(snip)
McMurrey said the joint reward offered by the ATF and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service has been increased from $10,000 to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the devices. About a dozen incidents have occurred within the past several weeks in which a form of incendiary device was found. Investigators believe at least some of the incidents are related.

:grr:

[sonias]

3. U.S. Attorney calls pipe bomb incidents domestic terrorism

Longview News Journal 4/8/10
U.S. Attorney calls pipe bomb incidents domestic terrorism

A federal prosecutor says a recent rash of pipe bombs around East Texas amounted to domestic terrorism.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston on Thursday said the arrest of Larry Eugene North brings to an end weeks of fear that affected East Texans' daily lives.

North was indicted Wednesday on a charge of possession of an illegal firearm or destructive device. The charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

According to investigators, North was involved in 23 incidents since Feb. 5. A press release says North was seen putting a pipe bomb in a Tyler mail collection box on Wednesday.

After his arrest, officials said they found an additional device in his vehicle. More charges are expected and the investigation is ongoing, officials said.

Robert Champion, the special agent in charge of the ATF's Dallas field division, said investigators have developed a motive related to anti-government sentiments. "We know he did not particularly care for the U.S. government," Champion said.

Anti-government sentiments - gee I wonder what stoked that belief? Could it be Fox News, Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, the Tea Party. Or all of the above.:grr:

[sonias]

2. Feds announce arrest in bomb cases

AAS 4/7/10
Feds announce arrest in bomb cases

DALLAS — A federal grand jury has indicted a 52-year-old East Texas man, accusing him of possessing a pipe bomb unlawfully.

Larry Gene North of Henderson was being held in the Smith County Jail in Tyler without bail Wednesday night.

Earlier, U.S. Attorney John M. Bales said an East Texas man, whom he would not identify, was arrested without incident Wednesday, the same day that two more suspected explosives were found.

(snip)

Authorities say that at least 16 explosive devices or look-alikes have been found in mailboxes, including five pipe bombs. None has detonated, and no injuries have been reported.

The indictment, filed in federal court in Tyler on Wednesday, accuses North of possessing a pipe bomb on or about March 23. The indictment contains no other details, but March 23 is one of the days that an apparent pipe bomb was found in a mailbox near Tyler.

Got em!

:applause::applause::applause:

[sonias]

4. Rage Against The Gov't

Talking Points Memo 4/8/10
Prosecutor: East TX Man Distributed Pipe Bombs Because Of Anger At Government

(snip)
No injuries have been reported from the string of incidents. Prosecutors released this timeline of the alleged incidents.

Featherston tells TPMmuckraker that federal postal workers were endangered by the devices, along with firefighters and police who responded. He said the investigation into North's motives is still in the early stages.

Fox reports that the Treasury Inspector General of the Tax Administration (TIGTA) is involved in the case, for reasons that are not yet clear. The agency investigates threats made toward IRS employees, data infrastructure (computers), and facilities, a TIGTA official tells TPM.

Video of North's arrest by the Tyler Morning Telegraph show police easing a wheelchair-bound man into a van.

Expect more to come out about Larry North. This guy might be Joseph Andrew Stack's mental twin brother.

[white cloud]

5. This is becoming to much of trend

Sure it come from both sides but look at all the event and a very hi number are right wing nuts.

For example

Hannity calls tea party GOPers “Tim McVeigh wannabees” — and they cheer!
http://www.dailykos.com/tv/w/002641/

More Hannity fraud with Freedom America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1deosIDqeY&feature=player_embedded

[sonias]

6. Yes and this great toon on DU's greatest page

Hannity, Beck, Palin, Fox, Limbaugh - those idiots are all in it for the money. They could care less what they do to make people actually believe their bullshit about the county slipping in to "socialism". Never mind they actually mean communism, but who cares. It's all about fear.

There are way too many on the right who are inciting violence! :grr:

[sonias]

7. Sheriff about bombing suspect, 'It's a bad day for him'

Longview News Journal 4/9/10
Sheriff about bombing suspect, 'It's a bad day for him'
(snip)
North was disabled from an accident about 20 years ago that occurred while he was working for a logging company, the cousins said. The accident left him paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. North was awarded a large settlement as a result of the incident.

North lost about half a million dollars of the money when a local business investment failed, authorities estimated. Though he lost a large sum, Melissa Enriquez doesn't believe he was bitter about the events, or "hurting" for money.

(snip)
"It just makes you think, 'How well do you know someone?' My heart goes out to the family. If he is guilty, let it be on him and not his family," Melissa Enriquez said.