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FBI Arrests West Virginia militia members
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Return FBI Arrests West Virginia militia members on charges they plotted to place explosives near the FBI facility in Clarksburg, which the bureau recently opened as its fingerprint records center.
Time-Line
The Investigation: Step-by-Step Details of Alleged Plot
Conspiracy Stains Clarksburg's Image
What everyone thought could never happen here, nearly did.
On
Friday, Clarksburg made national headlines. And for all the wrong reasons.
When seven individuals associated with the Mountaineer Militia were arrested early yesterday morning in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania by the FBI, this quiet city situated between Pittsburgh and Charleston was part of a media frenzy.
Unfortunately, there were no questions raised on recent signs of a possible economic recovery or improvements in the area's school systems. Instead, questions focused on the seven who were charged for plotting to manufacture bombs and possibly target Clarksburg's recently opened FBI Criminal Justice Information Services facility.
Clarksburg, a city of 18,000, nearly joined an inconspicuous list for terrorist or militia activity usually reserved for major metropolitan or nondescript locations. In this decade alone, incidents at the World Trade Center in New York, the standoffs at Ruby Ridge, Montana, and Waco, Texas, and the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City have fueled fear among citizens.
While those incidents may have seemed thousand of miles away, they hit home with a resounding thud on Friday. And, United States Northern District Marshal L.J. Trupo said situations like this have the potential to take place at anytime.
"People need to realize that this can happen anywhere," Trupo said. "I'd tell everyone that they need to be ever alert. That's what we tell our people. You can't get lax on this job or someone gets hurt.
"Situations like this are part of our society," Trupo continued. "Unfortunately, it's a sad part of our society."
Another sad note to the incident was that three of those charged were residents of northcentral West Virginia. Floyd Raymond "Ray" Looker, the commander of the Mountaineer Militia and a resident of Stonewood; James R. "Rich" Rogers, a lieutenant with the Clarksburg Fire Department and a resident of Jane Lew; and Jack Arland Phillips of Fairmont all were arrested without incident.
It was Looker, the militia's leader, who drew the bulk of the comments from Special Agent John P. O'Connor at Friday's press conference. In the past, the 56-year-old Looker had proudly portrayed himself in military fatigues and preached loudly against President Bill Clinton and his `New World Order', as well as other government figures.
Although Looker languished in anonymity for years, he frequently found himself in the headlines after a militia group was targeted for the bombing in Oklahoma City. Now, he finds himself in the headlines once again, this time as a prisoner of the very government he so detests.
"As long as America is strong, there can be no `New World Order.' Therefore, America will have to be sacrificed for the good of the society at large," Looker had said.
His plans took a detour thanks to a 16-month investigation by the FBI. But, instead of bringing down the federal government, all Looker may have done is tarnish the reputation of West Virginia in general and Clarksburg in particular.
"It's certainly a shame he's connected to Harrison County and Clarksburg," said Clarksburg City Councilman James Hunt. "It's a sad day his name has to be associated with our name."
Hunt said that Looker has longed to be in the news. He pointed to Looker's efforts to run for public office and outlandish remarks relating to state militia activity.
In fact, Looker ran for, but was defeated in his bid for a spot as a Harrison County magistrate on the Democratic ticket during the May 14 Primary Election. Of the 19 Republican and Democratic candidates, Looker received just 810 votes. His total was the fewest in the field.
He ran for the state legislature in 1994 and was defeated. During that year, Looker ran as a Republican.
"The citizens of this area have rebuffed him every time he's run for an office," Hunt said. "He has no credibility with them."
A resume Looker
submitted to media members upon running for office was impressive. It lists Looker as possessing degrees in business, theology and the field of law. Also, Looker stated in his release that he was a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Army and a combat veteran in Vietnam, served more than 20 years as a missionary to Europe and China and was a part-time police officer in New York.
Hunt doubts the legitimacy of the claims.
"I think when all of this is borne out in the investigation, it will be found out that Mr. Looker's illustrious resume is fraudulent to a large degree," Hunt said. "I would bet on it."
Councilman Louis Iquinto was upset about the whole situation. However, it bothered him to no end that Rogers, a member of the city's fire department, was involved.
"It made me sick to my stomach when I heard one of our own was involved with the trouble," Iquinto said of the 40-year-old Rogers. "It puts a black mark on the city. I just think it's terrible."
Rogers, who joined the city's fire force in 1977 and became one of that agency's highest ranking officers, is charged with providing photos of construction and blueprints of the FBI center to Looker. The blueprints were housed at the department for emergency purposes and eventually found their way into the hands of an undercover FBI agent.
Hunt said there's another bit of damage done that may go overlooked. The long-time Clarksburg councilman pointed out that there are two James Rogers that are members of the city's fire department.
"I hope people understand that James Richard Rogers is the one who is allegedly involved here. James Vincent Rogers is not involved," Hunt said. "Regrettably, the James Rogers not involved is going to suffer from this.
"We have more than 200 fine city employees and allegedly just one bad apple," he continued. "Looking at James Vincent Rogers, you have a well-respected and well-liked fireman. He's an upstanding citizen and a great guy. It's a shame his family and friends will likely get dragged through the mud because of this."
Clarksburg City Manager Percy C. Ashcraft said that James R. Rogers didn't offer any indications of wrongdoing.
"This particular employee has given dedicated service to the city so I'm not sure what took place for those actions to transpire," Ashcraft said. "I think it's just a case of a person traveling down the wrong path."
The final area resident brought up on charges was Phillips. Phillips had his residence in Marion County looked over by way of a search warrant that uncovered disturbing material.
The 57-year-old was charged with the business of manufacturing and dealing in explosive materials. Among the items discovered were homemade nitroglycerine, C-4 plastic explosives and detonators.
Ashcraft said what transpired shouldn't detract from Clarksburg or the FBI's decision to locate here.
"It's an isolated incident. This city doesn't have a history for this type of activity," Ashcraft said. "The FBI decided to locate here for the quality of life and they located here for the ability of the people and the positive atmosphere. What's happened can't change that."
Updated October 11, 1996
Pastor Remembers Looker's 'Beautiful Voice'
Pastor David Kates walked the streets of Clarksburg with a heavy heart on Friday.
The leader of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church felt betrayed by the actions of Floyd Raymond "Ray" Looker, one of seven men charged with plotting to blow up Clarksburg's FBI facility. Kates once considered Looker a friend and had watched him sing in his church.
"Right now, I feel hurt," Kates said. "It's a terrible day for the citizens and City of Clarksburg."
It wasn't too long ago, 1994 in fact, when Kates and Looker were running for separate offices in Harrison County. Kates was seeking to become a member of the Clarksburg City Council and Looker was looking forward to becoming a member of the West Virginia Legislature. Kates said Looker sought his support for office.
But, Kates knew him on a more personal basis. In fact, Kates said he sang at his church located on Water Street.
Kates said he was under the impression that Looker was a reverend. According to Looker's own press release when he ran for the position of magistrate in 1996, he owns a degree in theology and was a missionary in Europe and China for more than 20 years.
"He's been at our church and he's sang there. He's got a beautiful voice and was wonderful in administering the gospel," Kates said.
Despite that, Kates said he initially became concerned with Looker following the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995. He wondered if the militia groups were guilty as charged.
"I became very dismayed," Kates said. "I conveyed to him after the Oklahoma bombing that if the militia or you have any involvement in it that I would find it very distasteful."
Kates wasn't the only one upset with what was revealed on Friday. People throughout Clarksburg were stunned at what they read, saw and heard and the fact that it was administered by some of their own.
Like Kates, Clarksburg resident Peggy Knight knew one of those involved. Ms. Knight said she has long known James R. "Rich" Rogers and his family.
"I was shocked when I first heard about it. Then, when I found out that I knew one of the guys personally, it devastated me," Ms. Knight said. "I've known Richie Rogers since he was in junior high school. He comes from a wonderful family. I just cannot believe that this stuff goes on."
Another Clarksburg resident, Mary Mazzie, said she knew some of the people involved. She's worried that Friday's actions may become a trend.
"It was a little scary, especially when you consider you live among these people and you know them. It's something that we have to be on the lookout for and, sadly, this is probably just the beginning of things like this," said Mrs. Mazzie. "When people are against the government they feel like they can do anything. Thank God these people were caught in the nick of time."
Perhaps it was Kates who summed up the collective feeling of Clarksburg's citizenry best.
"Whether you knew any of the people involved or not, all the citizens of Clarksburg are grieving today," Kates ended.
Updated October 11, 1996
Keeley Recalls Chilling Conversations with Looker
Harrison County Commissioner Tom Keeley remembers his first encounter with Floyd Raymond "Ray" Looker, the man accused of plotting to blow up Clarksburg's FBI facility. And, he remembers how uneasy he felt.
Looker, the commander general of the Mountaineer Militia, was running for the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1994 and asked to meet with Keeley. Keeley agreed.
"I figured it was someone wanting input on the election process," Keeley said. "But, it wasn't long before I got the impression that the man was very anti-government."
Keeley said Looker made more than one statement that made his hair stand on end. But, it was one comment in particular that Keeley said has stuck in his mind to this day.
"He had this power complex. He was sure he was going to get elected. He never said if he was elected, but rather when he was elected," Keeley said. "But, I'll never forget one thing. He told me that when he was elected that people would quiver when he walked down the halls in Charleston. Right away, I knew this man couldn't do anybody any public service."
Keeley dismissed the incident. He hoped that the man would come up short in his bid for office and that he wouldn't be heard from again.
Half of Keeley's hopes were realized.
Although Looker failed in his run at the legislature, he met with Keeley again. This time, the meeting took place following the 1995 bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
Keeley said due to Looker's affiliation with the militia, he was featured often in media reports following the devastation in Oklahoma. And, following a second meeting with Looker, Keeley felt he needed to take action; particularly considering what his second meeting involved.
"When he came to me this time, about 20 months ago, he wanted a copy of the county's comprehensive disaster plan," Keeley said. "I asked our secretary what Looker wanted it for and she didn't know."
The plan was a public document and Looker had access to it. Keeley said Looker paid $20 for the document and told him that he wanted to review it.
Harrison County, Keeley said, is one of the few counties that has such a plan. In the plan is information detailing emergency agencies' responses to situations and what buildings are used for certain disasters.
"I pushed for that document and I'm proud of it, but I was worried about what he might be doing with it," Keeley said.
Keeley was so concerned he contacted the FBI.
"I thought it would be appropriate for me to notify the FBI. They informed me they weren't empowered to investigate splinter groups domestically, but they would take note of my concerns," Keeley said. "When I look back now, I'm glad I made that call."
During the course of his 16 years as a county commissioner, Keeley said he's encountered all sorts of individuals. Very few, he said, made him as uneasy as Looker.
"I became concerned the first time I met him when he started expounding his political views and you could sense his need for power," Keeley said. "His views were just crazy."
Updated October 11, 1996
Spotlight Focuses on Local Militia in Bomb Plot
A 16-month covert federal investigation culminated Friday morning in the arrest of seven persons on charges they conspired to bomb the FBI's new fingerprint records complex in Clarksburg.
"Commencing at 6:57 a.m. this morning, nearly 100 federal, state and local law enforcement officers arrested Floyd Raymond Looker, commanding general of the Mountaineer Militia, and six other individuals, and searched five locations, following a covert investigation of allegations of illegal activities of Mr. Looker and certain members and associates of the Mountaineer Militia," said John P. O'Connor, special agent in charge of the FBI, Pittsburgh Field Division, Friday afternoon during a news conference.
Agents began making the arrests after Looker, of Stonewood, gave photos of blueprints of the local Criminal Justice Information Division complex to an undercover federal agent in exchange for $50,000. The agent was posing as a broker for an unnamed international terrorist group, according to FBI sources.
The photos of the blueprints of the new $200 million FBI complex in Clarksburg were obtained by a Clarksburg firefighter who is an officer in the militia, the FBI said. The fire department keeps the blueprints in case of a fire or other emergency.
"There was never any explosive device constructed and there was never any immediate threat to our facility," O'Connor said.
O'Connor said the militia also targeted two other federal facilities in the state. He would not elaborate.
Besides Looker, three other area residents were arrested. Two more were arrested in Ohio and one man in Pennsylvania. The complete arrest list includes:
_ Floyd Raymond Looker, also known as Ray, age 56, 210 Maple Ave., Stonewood.
_ James R. Rogers, also known as Rich, age 40, of Box 196-0, Jane Lew, said to be a major in the Mountaineer Militia.
_ Edward F. Moore, also known as Fred, age 52, 5500 Lynn Creek Rd., Lavalette, Wayne County.
_ Jack Arland Phillips, age 57, 712 Lemley St., Fairmont.
_ Terrell P. Coon, age 46, of RD 4, Box 264 A, Waynesburg, Greene County, Pa.
_ James M. Johnson, also known as J.J., age 48, 5660 Harrison Ave., Maple Heights, Ohio.
_ Imam A. Lewis, 26, 2232 E. 90th St., Cleveland, Ohio.
Looker was arrested on charges contained in four criminal complaints. The complaints allege that Looker conspired and agreed to provide material support and resources with the intent that they were to be used in the preparation for committing an injury or depredation against the FBI/CJIS facility; conspired to engage in the business of manufacturing and dealing in explosive materials; caused explosive materials to be transported in interstate commerce from Ohio to West Virginia; and caused explosive materials to be transported in interstate commerce from Pennsylvania to West Virginia.
Rogers was arrested on charges contained in two criminal complaints. The complaints allege that Rogers, a lieutenant with the Clarksburg Fire Department, provided photographs of construction blueprints for the FBI/CJIS facility to the Mountaineer Militia, which were on file with the Clarksburg Fire Department for fire fighting purposes; and conspired and agreed to provide material support and resources for preparation ofcommitting an injury or depredation against the FBI/CJIS facility.
Coon was arrested on charges in a criminal complaint alleging that he caused explosive materials to be transported in interstate commerce from Pennsylvania to West Virginia.
Johnson and Lewis were arrested in the Northern district of Ohio on charges in a criminal complaint alleging that they transported explosive materials ininterstate commerce from Ohio to West Virginia.
Moore and Phillips were arrested on charges contained in a criminal complaint alleging that they
conspired to engage in the business of manufacturing and dealing in explosive materials, such as homemade nitroglycerine, C-4 plastic explosive and detonators. Search warrants were executed at the following locations: a rural acreage in Lewis County which serves as the training site for the Mountaineer Militia; the residence of James R. Rogers in Jane Lew; the residence of Jack Arland Phillips in Fairmont; the residence of Terrell P. Coon in Waynesburg; and the residence of Edward F. Moore in Lavalette, Wayne County.
Law enforcement officers Friday confiscated plastic explosives and detonatorsat four of the suspects' residences and at the Lewis County site.
The seven defendants were jailed without bail pending hearings next week. Both Phillips and Coon are currently held in the Harrison County Corrections facility. The location of Looker was not released.
Within 30 days their cases must be presented to a federal grand jury in Wheeling. If they are indicted, the trial should be held within 70 days in Clarksburg.
Looker faces a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment and $1 million in fines while Rogers could face 15 years imprisonment and $500,000 in fines.
A Vietnam veteran and real estate developer, Looker ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the state legislature in 1994 and was a candidate for magistrate this year. He claims his para-military group has members in all 55 counties of the state, and in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He refuses to say how large the group is and bars outsiders from viewing its drills or activities.
According to one affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent J.C. Raffety, the investigation into Looker's activities began with two undercover operatives on Aug. 31, 1995.
The two became aware of an attempt by Looker to obtain explosives for purposes related to his position with the Mountaineer Militia.
One undercover source told Raffety that Moore provided instruction in bombs and bomb-making and that Moore set off an explosion in a plastic bag that left a hole 24 inches wide and 4 inches deep at the Mountaineer Militia's training site in Lewis County, the affidavit stated.
Raffety described several meetings this year involving Moore, Phillips and Looker at which explosives were discussed and displayed, including one in which Moore said he was working on a rocket-propelled grenade.
On Oct. 2, Raffety said, a source met with Phillips, who showed him a plastic container which he said was filled with an ammonium nitrate and gasoline mixture "suitable for use as an explosive."
The $200 million CJIS complex presently employs nearly 2,000 persons, with more than 75 percent of those from West Virginia. Opened last year, the facility houses fingerprint records that the FBI has collected nationwide from law enforcement sources. The identification division provides information to local and state police departments on criminal backgrounds.
When asked if security had been stepped up at the facility or any other federal facility in the state, O'Connor noted that this was not necessary as security had been stepped up over 1\4 years ago, after the incident in Oklahoma City.
According to U.S. Attorney William D. Wilmoth, the investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, assisted by the West Virginia State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms.
Also involved in the investigation and attending the press conference with Wilmoth were: James L. Brown, special agent in charge, Louisville Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms; Major Jerry O. Cole, officer in charge, field operations of the West Virginia State Police; and L.J. Trupo, U.S. Marshal, Northern District of West Virginia.
A statement from Gov. Gaston Caperton on the arrests read, "The West Virginia State Police worked in conjunction with federal officials for more than a year on the case. They avoided what could have been a very tragic situation. I commend
all our law enforcement officers on their good work."
Updated October 11, 1996
Looker, 6 other members of W.Va. Militia arrested
A 16-month investigation of Floyd Raymond Looker led to the arrest today of the commanding general of the West Virginia Mountaineer Militia and six other men in West Virginia and neighboring states.
Looker, 56, of 210 Maple Ave., Stonewood, and the others named in criminal complaints filed by U.S. Attorney William D. Wilmoth and FBI agent John P. O'Connor were targeting the FBI's new $200 million criminal identification center in Clarksburg.
The men were planning to bomb the facility, Wilmoth and FBI agents said.
Also arrested in morning raids by about 100 federal, state and local law police in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania was James R. Rogers, a lieutenant in the Clarksburg Fire Department.
Rogers, 40, of Jane Lew, Box 196-0, allegedly provided photographs of construction blueprints of the FBI facility to the Mountaineer Militia.
In a four-page press release at an afternoon press conference today in Clarksburg, Wilmoth said that Looker allegedly conspired to attack the FBI facility.
Other suspects arrested were Terrell P. Coon, 46, of Waynesburg, RD 4, Box 264-A, Greene County, Pa.; James M. Johnson, also known as J.J., 48, of 5660 Harrison Ave., Maple Heights, Ohio; Imam A. Lewis, 26, of 2232 E. 90th St., Cleveland, Ohio.
Two other West Virginia men were also arrested, Edward F. Moore, also know as Fred, 52, of 5500 Lynn Creek Road, Lavalette, Wayne County, and Jack Arland Phillips, 57, of 712 Lemley St., Fairmont.
The release said the arrests were made without incident.
Besides agents from the FBI's Pittsburgh office, other agencies involved in the investigation were the Louisville, Ky., office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms and the West Virginia state police.
Police searched five locations while serving 11 arrest warrants on the group. Wilmoth's release said the undercover investigation pursued "allegations of illegal activities of certain members and associates of the Mountaineer Militia."
Wilmoth and other federal agencies stressed they did not investigate the group based on their views. "The Department of Justice does not investigate or prosecute anyone based on their views or the expression of those views. However, the United States is committed to prosecute individuals or groups seeking to further political or social goals through violence and force."
O'Connor said, "While the FBI recognizes citizens' rights to participate in militia groups, the FBI will aggressively pursue those who participate in criminal actions."
O'Connor said the investigation identified "efforts by individuals associated with the Mountaineer Militia to illegally possess, transport interstate and sell explosives and commit illegal actions in furtherance of a future act of destruction against an FBI facility."
Initial appearances for Coon, Phillips and Rogers were held today before U.S. Magistrate David L. Core in Clarksburg. The trio is being detained pending the detention hearing.
Looker was scheduled to appear this afternoon before Core.
Moore had his initial appearance today before a U.S. magistrate in Huntington while Johnson and Lewis are scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate in Cleveland.
If convicted, the men face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each of two conspiracy counts.
They also could receive a maximum of 10 years in prison and fine of $250,000 on each the remaining counts.
In an affidavit for search warrant, FBI agent J.C. Raffety said the agency used an unidentified person who "purported to be a trusted associated of Looker and other persons."
The "Cooperative Witness" tape-recorded numerous conversations and passed along documents to the FBI. In addition, the FBI used one of its own agents who posed as a "middleman for selling blueprints of FBI-CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Center) to international terrorists." In the past the same undercover agent has posed as a broker for explosives. Since the undercover
operation began June 4 of last year, according to the affidavit.
In August 1995, Looker, Rogers and the "Cooperative Witness" met at Veterans Memorial Park in Clarksburg. Looker complained that the FBI facility had the capability of "tracking" every person in the United States.
Looker insisted that Rogers, "as the Harrison County militia commander should target the facility in the event of hostile action against the federal government by the Mountaineer Militia."
In May of this year, Looker, and the undercover person identified as the "Cooperative Witness" prepared a package of photographs of blueprints, maps and general intelligence information related to the complex "for the purpose of negotiating a sale of the information and the material" to the undercover special agent who was posing as broker or middleman. The agent was then supposed to resell the material to an unnamed Middle Eastern terrorist organization.
On Sept. 19 this year during a meeting with the undercover agent in Clarksburg, Looker agreed to provide the "package" to the agent for $50,000 cash for resale to the unnamed Middle Eastern terrorist organization.
Updated October 11, 1996
Disenchanted Militia Member
Tipped off FBI, Prosecutor Says
(AP)_ A trusted associate of the leader of the West Virginia Mountaineer Militia became an informant and recorded members conspiring to destroy an FBI complex and two other federal targets, court records alleged.
The informant continued to supply information even after a suspicious militia colonel ordered him to remove his shirt to be sure he was not wired with a microphone during one meeting, the records said.
FBI agents were providing security for the informant at an undisclosed location Saturday as seven suspects remained in federal custody pending detention hearings, U.S. Attorney William D. Wilmoth said.
The seven were arrested Friday on charges including conspiring to make bombs, transporting explosives across state lines and conspiring to place explosives near the FBI's Criminal Justice
Information Services Division.
The informant indicated at
least one of the men believed the FBI complex contained a clandestine operation that might be a
command center when the government turned against the people under the "New World Order," the documents said.
Wilmoth said the alleged plot was not linked to anti-government groups in other states.
"I don't want it to appear to be some nationwide conspiracy or anything more grave than the charging documents show. As far as we could tell, it was localized," Wilmoth said.
The Criminal Justice Information Services Division complex center in Clarksburg houses fingerprint records the FBI has collected from police departments nationwide.
The $200 million center eventually will use computer programs to convert fingerprints into electronic images, enabling the FBI to perform fingerprint checks in a matter of hours in stead of weeks.
The undercover investigation was launched 16 months ago after a disenchanted militia member approached federal authorities and offered his assistance, Wilmoth said Saturday.
The informant provided crucial information about the men, including Fred Moore, 52, of Lavalette, Wayne County, who was familiar with producing bombs from ammonium nitrate, and chemical engineer Jack Arland Phillips, 57, of Fairmont, who said he could produce plastic explosives, court documents said.
Moore boasted that he was working on a fuel-air bomb that could devastate an area the size of two football fields and also indicated he had produced a grenade-like device, the documents said.
An affidavit signed by FBI Special Agent J.C. Raffety indicated that Moore demonstrated how to make bombs once during militia training exercises on a 600-acre farm in Lewis County.
The mixture he concocted exploded with a deafening roar and left a crater 2 feet wide in the ground.
Ronald Fry, Moore's closest neighbor, said he became accustomed to hearing explosions.
"The first time I was worried. But out here, if one man wants to shoot, that's his business. It was
pretty regular on Saturdays. I didn't know what he was doing," Fry said.
Both Moore and Phillips were directed by Mountain Militia commanding general Floyd "Ray" Looker of Stonewood to make explosives for sale to a broker who turned out to be an undercover FBI agent, documents said.
On Aug. 25, the day President Clinton visited Huntington, Moore expressed his concerns to the in formant, Phillips and Looker that federal authorities were aware of their activity.
During the meeting, the informant was told to remove his shirt to prove there were no recording devices, the affidavit said.
FBI Special Agent Thomas G. Noschese of Pittsburgh said the informant would have been in jeopardy if the conspirators knew he was cooperating with investigators.
Wilmoth said the informant was protected by FBI agents but was not in the witness protection program.
Federal agents prepared to
make their move after Looker agreed to provide photos of FBI
center blueprints in exchange for $50,000 from the undercover FBI agent, who was posing as a representative of an unnamed Middle East terrorist organization, court
documents said.
About 100 federal agents moved
in on Friday after Looker at tempted to deliver the blueprints,
which were obtained from a Clarksburg firefighter, investigators said.
The blueprints, kept in the event of a fire, provided information on the center's electrical
lines, utilities and underground facilities. Authorities have not
named the two other alleged targets.
The firefighter, Lt. James Rogers of Jane Lew, was arrested along with Looker, Moore and Phillips.
The other three men who were
charged were Terrell P. Coon, 46, of Waynesburg, Pa., James M.
Johnson, 48, of Maple Heights, Ohio, and Imam A. Lewis, 26, of
Cleveland.
It is not surprising to see a militia group thrive in the state whose
mascot is a Mountaineer, the very symbol of the rugged individual
ist, said Lawrence Nichols, a sociology professor at West Virginia
University.
Nichols noted that the state has
an unemployment rate topping 10 percent in more than half of its 55
counties and that there is a traditional resentment toward outside
corporations.
"You put some of these things
together, and you have the basis for this type of activity," he said
Saturday. "We're talking about a small group, an extreme fringe."
Looker has never said how many militia members there are in West Virginia, and federal authorities declined to provide an estimate. Nichols estimated there were fewer than 50 members.
Updated October 14, 1996
Looker: From Commander To Prisoner in Moments
(AP)_ Floyd Raymond Looker talked loudly against the "New World Order" and wore proudly the military uniform of commander of the West Virginia Mountaineer Militia.
On Friday, he found himself a prisoner of the very government he opposed.
The "New World Order," his euphemism for the one-world government he fears, requires the destruction of America, he said.
"As long as America is strong, there can be no 'New World Order.' Therefore, America will have to be sacrificed for the 'good of the society at large'," he said.
He was in the news in West Virginia briefly after militias became the focus of a public attention following the April 19, 1995, bombing in Oklahoma City.
Looker, 56, a Vietnam veteran, said the idea of a "New World Order" goes back as far as 1780, and countries starting working toward it about 70 years ago. He said President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Georgia, were among those who currently conspiring for it.
"They started to realize that Africans are starving to death and America is a bunch of fat cats who consume all of the world resources," Looker said. "'The New World Order' envisions a one-world government."
Looker joined other militia leaders around the country in saying federal agents staged the Oklahoma City bombing to use it as an excuse to go after the militias.
In a pamphlet, he said the federal government wants to take all guns out of the hands of citizens; one million United Nations troops are in the United States at military bases; and 130 concentration camps are set up around the country at old military bases "are capable of detaining and housing millions of 'law-abiding citizens."'
When asked who would be kept in the camps, Looker said, "Who do you think?"
Looker, a real estate appraiser in Stonewood, Harrison County, said the Mountaineer Militia has members in all of West Virginia's 55 counties, and in Ohio and Pennsylvania. But he refused to say how many and he also would not allow outside observers at militia drills in Lewis County.
"You don't divulge your strength or weakness to the enemy. Currently it's Bill Clinton and the press," Looker said.
Earlier this year, he switched his political registration from Republican to Democrat and he ran for magistrate, saying he learned in 1994 that a Republican candidate could not win in Harrison County. State registration favors Democrats 2-1.
He ran unsuccessfully for the state House of Delegates as a Republican in 1994.
Looker was unsuccessful in his bid for magistrate this year. He was last of 14 candidates, even though he downplayed his role as militia leader during the primary campaign and emphasized his background as a missionary in Europe and in China and his work as a law clerk.
Updated October 11, 1996
FBI Arrests Five West Virginians
in Alleged Bomb Plot
WASHINGTON (AP)_ The FBI has arrested five members of a West Virginia militia Clarksburg, W.Va., law enforcement sources said today.
The five members of the West Virginia Mountaineer Militia were in FBI custody in Clarksburg. The bureau planned a 1 p.m. EDT news conference at the fingerprint facility, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The five were arrested on charges they plotted to place explosives near the FBI facility in Clarksburg, which the bureau recently opened as its fingerprint records center.
In use for more than a year, the facility houses fingerprint records that the FBI has collected from police departments nationwide. The identification division provides information to state and local police departments about wanted criminals.
The Mountaineer Militia is commanded by Ray Looker, a Stonewood, W.Va., real estate developer, who claims group members in 37 of West Virginia's 55 counties.
Looker will not say how many are in the group, which bars outside observers from its drills."You don't divulge your strength or weakness to the enemy. Currently, it's Bill Clinton and the press," Looker has been quoted as saying.
Looker last year denounced the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City and alleged it was done by federal agents to create an excuse for cracking down on the militia movement.
An unsuccessful candidate for the state legislature in 1994, Looker contends the federal government is trying to take guns away from the American people.
In a pamphlet Looker wrote and distributes, he also asserts that 1 million troops of the United Nations are stationed at U.S. military bases and that the government has set up 130 concentration camps at abandoned military bases to house"law-abiding citizens."
Located 120 miles south of Pittsburgh, the $200 million Criminal Justice Information Services Division complex eventually will employ 2,600 people. It also will house the National Criminal Information Center and the Uniform Crime Reporting Center, FBI units now located in Washington.
The fingerprint identification facility will use computer programs to enable fingerprints to be converted into electronic images. This will enable the FBI to perform fingerprint identification in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months.
Automated criminal record-keeping will also be available for background checks whether it is a person seeking a job at a day-care center or someone trying to buy a handgun.
Surrounding hills naturally hide the facility from public view and federal officers stop all cars at two main entrances.
The National Crime Information Center receives more than a million inquiries, and the fingerprint center receives 50,000 pieces of mail.
Most of the workers at the center are West Virginians. Most employees in Washington decided against transferring to the facility.
Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., was instrumental in attaching language to legislation that forced the FBI to move the facility to his home state.
Updated October 11, 1996
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