In a state court in Georgia, a trial this week of 4 active-duty and former Army soldiers for capital double murder tied to a bizarre militia insurrection plot has been unfolding. The 4 suspects based at Fort Stewart, were led allegedly by Pvt. Isaac Aguigui of Cashmere, Washington.
Self-financed, their plan would involve, allegedly, poisoning the apple crop in Washington state, an explosion at Forsyth Park in Savannah, a takeover of Fort Stewart and its munitions, the overthrow of the U.S. government and assassination of President Obama.
Oh, and four years ago, Isaac Aguigui served as page at the RNC nominating convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, Sep. 2008.
Captioned by Reuters:
"Republican National Convention page Isaac Aguigui watches from the edge of the floor at the start of the first session of the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 1, 2008."
The four soldiers, who called their renegade unit F.E.A.R. – "Forever Enduring, Always Ready" – bought $87,000 of firearms and explosives.
The financing for the weapons came from $500,000 proceeds of life insurance from the death of Aguigui's pregnant wife last year. The cause of her death at age 24 has not been determined.
The murder charges stem from the gangland-style execution in December of Pvt. Michael Roark, 19, and his girlfriend Tiffany York, 17. Roark had been buying firearms for F.E.A.R. and was regarded as a "loose end" for what he knew of the group's intent.
The state charges include malice murder, felony murder, criminal gang activity, aggravated assault and using a firearm while committing a felony.
A lot of the reporting detail comes from A.P. And Gawker spotted the 2008 RNC photo and caption by Reuters.
Augusta Chronicle / AP:
The prosecutor said the militia group had big plans. It plotted to take over Fort Stewart by seizing its ammunition control point and talked of bombing the Forsyth Park fountain in nearby Savannah, she said. In Washington state, she added, the group plotted to bomb a dam and poison the state’s apple crop. Ultimately, prosecutors said, the militia’s goal was to overthrow the government and assassinate the president.
So maybe the 2012 convention, looking back at the week in Tampa, wasn't so bad after all. Clint Eastwood acted disrespectful and dazed, but at least he's not a violent militia man in real life.
Somehow there's always something bizarre at an RNC convention. Chilling, even.