automatic assault weapons and some explosive materials. The individuals were on their way to join Richard McLaren. A few
others are also stopped in following days, but the massive action predicted by McLaren does not occur. Meanwhile, McLaren
and authorities talk sporadically by fax and phone. McLaren eventually breaks off negotiations.
April 30, California: Following the arrest of William Goehler (see above) on explosives charges, two associates of his, Kevin
Quinn and Vernon Weckner, were arrested in Yuba City, California, and 500 pounds of the volatile explosive petrogel were
found. Weckner is one of the central militia organizers in northern California; he also is a common law activist and a tax
protester.
MAY
Ca. May 1, Oregon: Common law court advocates Dick Lancial and Thor Lancial are indicted by a grand jury in Multnomah
County, Oregon, on multiple counts of forgery and simulating the legal process for their common law court activities.
May 1, New York: Bronx-area extremist blows his hand off in his apartment booby-trapped with homemade bombs. The
man, John Saperstein, an unemployed construction worker, had at least five bombs in his apartment. Neighbors indicated
that Saperstein talked a lot about the "Patriots of America" and the militia.
May 1, Colorado: Federal agents arrest Colorado militia leader Ron Cole (the "Colorado First Light Infantry") and two other
militia members on weapons charges in the Denver suburb of Aurora, Colorado. Authorities seize weapons and explosives
materials. Ron Cole, who claims to be a militant Branch Davidian, has been one of the more vocal militia leaders in recent
months. Police find six fully automatic AK-47 rifles, three land mines, 75 pounds of rocket fuel, a pipe bomb, and much
ammunition.
May 1, Florida: Brevard County (FL) militia member Brian Edward Lanier is arrested after making threats that he would kill
himself on the state seal and blow up an insurance building. He was held on an outstanding warrant from another county for
a 1989 aggravated assault.
May 1, Texas : Police negotiators send Richard McLaren a "final offer" and threaten to move in to arrest them. They also cut
off power to his trailer.
May 2, California: Police investigating the Yuba County explosives ring of Vernon Weckner, Kevin Quinn, and William
Goehler, arrest three more men, Jason Fox, Edward Whitlow and Robert Scott Deaver, charged with possessing explosives.
The six plead not guilty.
May 2, Texas: Republic of Texas member Robert Scheidt surrenders to authorities surrounding McLaren's "embassy."
Meanwhile, police units move closer to the compound. Richard McLaren issues a plea for "reinforcements" and he and four
followers fax their wills to state police.
May 2, Washington: Richard Frank Burton, who pled guilty to possessing pipe bombs and other charges in connection with
the Washington militia/freemen bombmaking conspiracy, is sentenced to 46 months in prison.
May 3, Colorado: Arsonists destroy IRS offices in a building in Colorado Springs, spray-painting "AAR" or "ARA" inside the
building. They cause more than $1 million in damage.
May 3, Texas: Most of the remaining Republic of Texas members surrender to authorities. Richard McLaren, his wife Evelyn,
and three followers (Richard Otto, Greg and Karen Paulson), walk out of their hideout after signing a "cease-fire" agreement
with Texas Rangers. Two members, Richard Keys and Mike Matson, decided not to surrender and fled into the Davis
Mountains. Authorities began a search with bloodhounds, helicopters, and troopers on horseback. Police find more than 60
pipe bombs at the "embassy."
May 5, Texas: One or both of the two Republic of Texas fugitives fire shots at bloodhounds, wounding two of them, in the
remote Davis Mountains. Later that day, police shoot and kill one of the two fugitives. The other apparently escapes.
Meanwhile, Richard and Evelyn McLaren are indicted on charges that could bring up to hundreds of years in prison.
May 8, Texas: Five more Republic of Texas members are arrested as part of McLaren's scheme to issue $1.8 billion in
bogus warrants: Jasper Edward Baccus, Joe Louis Reece, Steven Craig Crear, Erwin Leo Brown, and Mark Anthony
Hernandez. Also arrested is Republic of Texas leader Robert Kesterson, on three counts of contempt of court out of Travis
County, where he filed bogus liens and other documents in violation of a judge's order. Donald Joe Varnell was another
member arrested on contempt of court charges. State authorities also filed suit against Carolyn Carney for nonpayment of
taxes. Other leaders, including Archie Lowe and Darrell Franks, are also charged with contempt.
May 9, California: LA police arrest five militia members, seizing a grenade launcher, hand grenades, hand grenade
components, automatic assault rifles, body armor, night vision goggles, and over 100 different types of weapons. Arrested
are Glenn Yee, a reserve police officer, Alvin Ung, Mark Grand, Timothy Swanson and Raymond Durand. None have any