Update: FBI did NOT use Patriot Act to nab and hold 16yo NC boy

[bamacre]

Original content:

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5049867/

Video for the lazy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9zGhYSIAP8

I assume he is being held with no access to legal counsel. What I find disturbing has nothing to do with whether or not he is guilty, but the fact that an American citizen can be nabbed by the government, and be stripped of all his/her rights. Years ago, we were told this wouldn't happen, and yet it has. Regardless, whether it happened or not, it was the possibility of it happening that I saw as being dangerous. And this story looks to be a prime example of why.

I don't want to point the blame at the current administration, because at this point, that would seem to be irresponsible. But pardon me if I may ask, "where's the change?"

I have always said that on 9/11, terrorists destroyed two buildings, damaged the Pentagon, and killed 3000 people. But whether or not they did more damage than that is really up to us. In my mind, they didn't, but unfortunately reality disagrees with me.

I'm sure someone will come in and say "well the Obama administration doesn't want to look soft on the 'war on terror.'" My answer to that is "I don't give a damn."


Update #1
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blo...w/archives/026683.html

It appears that, contrary to what I reported two days ago, Ashton Lundeby is not being held under the USA PATRIOT act.

Earlier today, a memo marked "Not for distribution outside law enforcement" was circulated among officials in Indiana -- where Ashton is being held at the Thomas N. Frederick Juvenile Justice Center in South Bend. The memo complained of hostile publicity given to the case inspired by what were described as "false claims" from Ashton's mother, Annette Lundeby, about the use of the PATRIOT act in the arrest and detention of her son.

Those claims led the office of US Attorney David Capp to issue a press release today insisting that the arrest and detention of Ashton Lundeby "is unrelated to the PATRIOT act."

"The juvenile has appeared in court on three occasions, once in North Carolina for an initial hearing and a detention hearing, and twice in Indiana for a continued initial hearing and a status hearing," the press release relates. "At each hearing, the juvenile was represented by counsel.... The juvenile is presently housed in a juvenile facility in the Northern District of Indiana where he does not have contact with adult offenders. His mother has been apprised of each court appearance and has attended the hearing in North Carolina; she did not appear at either of the hearings in Indiana."

As the press release notes, Annette Lundeby was present during the initial hearing in North Carolina, and until today she was the only source available to describe the details of her son's arrest and the terms of his detention. In interviews I conducted with her both on May 5 and 6, Mrs. Lundeby insisted that the PATRIOT act was invoked by the Feds in this case.

I reported her claims in good faith, buttressed by the assessment presented in the WRAL report from former U.S. Attorney Dan Boyce, as well as the fact -- noted in the essay published on LRC two days ago -- that the PATRIOT act's definition of "domestic terrorism" has been used in at least one other case involving a juvenile accused of a serious crime.

In updates to the original story, I relate that a source close to the prosecution (not directly involved in the prosecution, but with detailed, first-hand knowledge of it) insists that the case against Ashton is strong enough that the use of such extraordinary measures would not be necessary.

Title 18, Section 844 (e) of the US Code makes it a felony punishable by a prison term of up to 10 years to make a bomb threat, either real or bogus, using "the mail, telephone, telegraph, or other instrument of interstate commerce...." That provision would explain the involvement of the FBI in a suspected bomb threat made from North Carolina against Purdue University in Indiana. Whatever the wisdom of that statute, its existence would appear to make use of the PATRIOT act gratuituous. This doesn't mean that the Feds didn't take the easy route, as Mrs. Lundeby claims, of course. But it does mean that if Ashton was involved in making bomb threats, he bought himself more trouble than he expected.

Expect a follow-up on all of this later today on Pro Libertate.

Update #2

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blo...w/archives/026686.html

Ashton Lundeby is "Tyrone"

-- a celebrity in a cyber-subculture devoted to making "prank phone calls for a live internet audience," reports Wired news.

According to Jason Bennett, a "former fan" of Ashton's who turned him in to the authorities, the 16-year-old would accept money from youngsters eager to get out of school: He would allegedly charge a fee to call in a bomb threat that would shutter the school.

Annette Lundeby, Ashton's mom, admits that she had heard and seen some of his pranks, but still insists that Ashton is innocent of the charges involving a bomb threat against Purdue University on February 15.

On March 5, Bennett recorded a series of bomb threats made by "Tyrone" against five schools across the nation; he contacted authorities, who informed the schools that the threats were bogus. Shortly thereafter the FBI paid a visit to the Lundeby home and arrested Ashton.

When I spoke with Annette Lundeby yesterday, she admitted to me that Ashton had been involved in various "pranks" but maintained that he was not responsible for the bomb threats of February 15 and March 5. She also claimed that the FBI confiscated all of the computer gear in their home except for her son's wireless router and a message on the answering machine that contained exculpatory evidence.

Mrs. Lundeby is frantically concerned about her son and is convinced that the Feds have over-reached in this case. The former is understandable, and the latter may still be the case. She also continues to insist that Ashton is the victim of identity theft, which could be true, but appears quite doubtful now.

 

[TruePaige]

So..was anyone else on 4chan that night? That seems to be where all these crazies post online threats.

That and their blogs/facebook/myspace.

 

[theflyingpig]

He should have all of his rights stripped away simply because his hair is awful.

 

[Riceninja]

i hope they give him a haircut in jail. what an atrocious look.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: bamacre
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5049867/

Video for the lazy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9zGhYSIAP8

I assume he is being held with no access to legal counsel. What I find disturbing has nothing to do with whether or not he is guilty, but the fact that an American citizen can be nabbed by the government, and be stripped of all his/her rights. Years ago, we were told this wouldn't happen, and yet it has. Regardless, whether it happened or not, it was the possibility of it happening that I saw as being dangerous. And this story looks to be a prime example of why.

I don't want to point the blame at the current administration, because at this point, that would seem to be irresponsible. But pardon me if I may ask, "where's the change?" No we won`t pardon your idiotic stoopidity!! Your one of those idiots who belives that the Obama administration should have addressed all the little bitty shitty things such as the patriots act and other things.....
I am sure there are priorities and this seems really low on the list compared to the economy and other things.
I have always said that on 9/11, terrorists destroyed two buildings, damaged the Pentagon, and killed 3000 people. But whether or not they did more damage than that is really up to us. In my mind, they didn't, but unfortunately reality disagrees with me.

I'm sure someone will come in and say "well the Obama administration doesn't want to look soft on the 'war on terror.'" My answer to that is "I don't give a damn."
That`s bullshit and you know it. Again you actually think Obama even knows about this kid and his problems?? Instead of bitching and complaining like a woman on the rag why don`t you do something about it!

 

[cubby1223]

Wow, the writer of that article is quite the color commentator It's hard to pick out the true facts from the seemingly endless exaggerations.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

WRAL is the local Fox News here. Read the comments on any politically charged article and you'll clearly see the kind of viewer they attract. Not that I'm defending the Patriot Act or government harassing 16 year olds about the stupid stuff they post on the internet.

Edit: Actually I'm impressed from most of the comments there on this article. I guess the real crazies don't comment unless Obama or Democrats are in the headline.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
WRAL is the local Fox News here.

Right there is why I won't even bother reading the story.

 

[RightIsWrong]

Be careful of what you wish for....you just might get it.

Some of us have been complaining about the PA and other abuses of power that the Cheney/Bush administration implemented and warned that they wouldn't be in power forever. Don't complain now that it is being used in a manner that you are no longer supporting because the signature (if there is one) on the warrant (again, if there is one) doesn't align with your political philosophy.

 

[Robor]

Freedom!!!!!!!

 

[waggy]

ugh. hopefully this gets more attention. if this is a abuse maybe something will be done. doubt it though.

 

[SirStev0]

Quick... Let's waterboard him! Right?? he has to have some information?? Right???


How is this not national news? A young american boy is being held against his will and no one seems to care? This country is so pathetic it isn't funny anymore.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Lundeby told the officers that someone had hacked into her son's IP address and was using it to make crank calls connected through the Internet, making it look like the calls had originated from her home when they did not.

:laugh: ...hacked her IP eh?

 

[Modelworks]

I looked at the news&observer this morning. Not a single mention of this.
Even checked the online subscription site , nothing.
If it was major news they would be covering it.

 

[Jeffg010]

Way to go guys just brush this side because it would paint Obama in a bad light. You guys are pathetic.

Democrat?s reasons:
It fox news bla bla bla
Obama has better things to worry about (such as college football)
No major news store is picking this so it is nothing to worry about.

 

[brandonbull]

Originally posted by: Jeffg010
Way to go guys just brush this side because it would paint Obama in a bad light. You guys are pathetic.

Democrat?s reasons:
It fox news bla bla bla
Obama has better things to worry about (such as college football)
No major news store is picking this so it is nothing to worry about.

Making NCAA basketball brackets and worrying if Utah can play in a football playoff is way more important than getting rid of the PA.

 

[Wheezer]

I for one see no reason for this to be such a big deal.

a bomb threat was made from his IP....now unless someone else in the house did it or they just happen to have an open wireless connection to their network AND unlucky as fuck and someone just happened to be war driving by their home, stopped in their drive way and sent out the threat....I would say this kid is a jackass and seriously fucked himself.

Kids to stupid shit like this all the time.....if he did it....fuck him I hope he rots....if not....he'll be richer for the experience.

 

[Jaskalas]

I want to see an affirmative stance taken on this matter. The boy should be pardoned due to government abuse, and then tried through a court of law IF there is a case to be made against him.

How long does it take to issue an executive order? I?m waiting.

 

[Slew Foot]

hope and change

 

[NoStateofMind]

Whether you are a Bush or Obama apologist it doesn't matter. You know this is WRONG. You should be standing on your seat screaming at the top of your lungs about this injustice. We must be cowards now, no one is strong enough to stand up and say anything, too mindful of his own freedom, too selfish to help his fellow brother.

No its not Obama's fault and we aren't saying he is responsible, but we are saying he can speak on these injustices and push back against the patriot act. The problem is he won't. Excuse? Hell if I know but don't sit there in your chair and pretend this is not an issue, that only true "terrorists" the are targets or that its impossible for an American to be stripped of his/her right to counsel. I fear we have become too docile, unwilling to make even the slightest change, if not for ourselves then maybe for our own children. You and I must think of this 16yr old AS OUR OWN because in the near future he very well could be. It could be your child being held. What then?

We need to drop the partisan politics on this issue. We are beyond that now. We have to bind together and remove the worst document ever created in American history as soon as possible. Write letters to your congressman, call them, urge them all to repeal the Patriot Act. Just do it.

 

[Triumph]

Based upon the limited amount of factual information in this article, I really don't see what we're supposed to be up in arms about. Is the kid being held without counsel? I don't know, the article doesn't say. Is the kid being held without being charged with a crime? Who knows, the article says nothing about that. Is there something wrong with the FBI investigating a bomb threat, and raiding a house after getting a search warrant? They don't even say it was a SWAT type of raid, this impressive example of journalistic excellence says "armed FBI agents". Well what the fuck, is there an FBI agent that isn't armed?

Lundeby told the officers that someone had hacked into her son's IP address and was using it to make crank calls connected through the Internet, making it look like the calls had originated from her home when they did not.

Right, because the officers should have believed her right then and there, apologized, tip their hats and left. "Sorry for the mistake, ma'am!" :roll:

This article doesn't even say what the police did, by way of the Patriot Act, that they couldn't have done before 9/11. I mean, someone tell me exactly what the fuck I'm supposed to be so up in arms about here. I'm not too particularly keen to side with yellow journalism and a homeschooling mom who has an irrational fear of guns. I mean wtf is this statement supposed to mean?

"I was terrified," Lundeby's mother said. "There were guns, and I don't allow guns around my children. I don't believe in guns."

"I'm sorry Officer, I can't let you arrest my son because you have guns, and I don't allow guns around my children."
"Oh ok ma'am, sorry about that we'll just be on our way.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Based upon the limited amount of factual information in this article, I really don't see what we're supposed to be up in arms about.

That's part of the problem. There is no information.

Trust me, I know the problems with the article, I turned to googling for more information, a better story, and nothing comes up. There is no story, there's nothing to report, there are no public records. For all we know, there is no Ashton Lundeby, his supposed mother made the whole thing up.

 

[UberNeuman]

When they came and took Cloud Strife, I said nothing......

 

[Jaskalas]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Whether you are a Bush or Obama apologist it doesn't matter. You know this is WRONG. You should be standing on your seat screaming at the top of your lungs about this injustice. We must be cowards now, no one is strong enough to stand up and say anything, too mindful of his own freedom, too selfish to help his fellow brother.

People are comfortable in their lives, why would they sacrifice anything for anyone? We do not rely on each other as human beings anymore. So we no longer care about each other. We rely on services provided, and so we care about the continued empowerment of those services.

Deciding to do anything about cases like this, people would be biting the hand that feeds them.

We need to drop the partisan politics on this issue. We are beyond that now. We have to bind together and remove the worst document ever created in American history as soon as possible. Write letters to your congressman, call them, urge them all to repeal the Patriot Act. Just do it.

Until a third political party sweeps into majority power, you will not see change. You will not see abuses repealed. These limitless powers have been fostered by our two incumbent parties and they will continue to do so.

Then so long as treats are dolled out, you'll continue to see the voters approve of it.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Based upon the limited amount of factual information in this article, I really don't see what we're supposed to be up in arms about. Is the kid being held without counsel? I don't know, the article doesn't say. Is the kid being held without being charged with a crime? Who knows, the article says nothing about that. Is there something wrong with the FBI investigating a bomb threat, and raiding a house after getting a search warrant? They don't even say it was a SWAT type of raid, this impressive example of journalistic excellence says "armed FBI agents".

Succintly put. Would the alarmists care to state what we know so far other than that the FBI arrested someone for allegedly making a bomb threat after obtaining a search warrant?

His mother has had "limited access" to him? Does that mean once a week, once a month? She's free to talk even if the gag order prevents prosecutors from talking. Does he have a lawyer? Mom can tell us that too, but didn't. What due process rights were suspended?

FYI, WorldNetDaily is one of the only "news" sources covering this event. That should tell us a few things.