"Domestic Terrorist" Jailed for Making silver Coins

[revelarts]

Man who made his own coins out of pure silver convicted of "conspiracy against the United States" - FBI

The leader of a group that marketed a fake currency called Liberty Dollars in the Asheville area and elsewhere has been found guilty by a federal jury of conspiracy against the government in a case of “domestic terrorism.”

Bernard von NotHaus was convicted Friday at the conclusion of an eight-day trial in U.S. District Court in Statesville. The jury deliberated less than two hours, according to the Department of Justice.

Charges remain pending against William Kevin Innes, an Asheville man who authorities said recruited merchants in Western North Carolina willing to accept the “barter” currency, according to court records. Innes was indicted along with von NotHaus in 2009.

“Attempts to undermine the legitimate currency of this country are simply a unique form of domestic terrorism,” U.S. Attorney Anne Tompkins said. “While these forms of anti-government activities do not involve violence, they are every bit as insidious and represent a clear and present danger to the economic stability of this country.”

The case was investigated by the FBI, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Secret Service with help from the U.S. Mint.

“We are determined to meet these threats through infiltration, disruption and dismantling of organizations which seek to challenge the legitimacy of our democratic form of government,” Tompkins said.

Von NotHaus, 67, faces up to 25 years in prison during sentencing, which hasn’t been scheduled. The government also is seeking the forfeiture of about 16,000 pounds of Liberty Dollar coins and precious metals valued at nearly $7 million....

http://www.citizen-times.com/article...yssey=nav|head

http://charlotte.fbi.gov/dojpressrel...1/ce031811.htm

i don't know what to say here.

[fj1200]

i don't know what to say here.

Don't F' with the government's coinage monopoly.

[revelarts]

Don't F' with the government's coinage monopoly.

"Don't F' with the government."

Is About all you need there.

[Thunderknuckles]

There's gotta be more behind the story on the Liberty Dollar group. If memory serves correct, creating local currencies in the US is not illegal as long as the local currency is not exchanged for US currency. There's the rub. Did this group try to exchange Liberty Dollars for US dollars. If not, what did they do that was illegal and considered terrorism?

[Thunderknuckles]

Hmmm, I wonder if this has anything do with the fact they used Silver as the currency medium which has it's own value in US dollars.

[revelarts]

There's gotta be more behind the story on the Liberty Dollar group. If memory serves correct, creating local currencies in the US is not illegal as long as the local currency is not exchanged for US currency. There's the rub. Did this group try to exchange Liberty Dollars for US dollars. If not, what did they do that was illegal and considered terrorism?

Thunder I remember when this 1st came up, when the guy was raided. I don't think there where any issues like that going on with the guy. what i rememer getting from what i read at the time was that the Feds were making an example of this guy.
I'll have to look at it more. but that's the immpression I came away with at the time. Nothing in the articles I've read so far change that opinion

[DragonStryk72]

The charges seem pretty trumped up. I think it's possible the government reacted in a pretty overzealous manner.