Prosecutors Seek 10 Years for Fairbanks Militia Foot Soldier

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By Rod Boyce - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner / rboyce@newsminer.com

Story Created: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:55 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Sep 21, 2012 at 7:58 AM AKDT

FAIRBANKS — The federal government is seeking a 10-year prison term for North Pole resident Coleman Barney for his role in the Alaska Peacemaker Militia led by Schaeffer Cox.

Barney is scheduled to be sentenced Monday in Anchorage.

Prosecutors, in a 51-page report filed Wednesday and continuing numerous supplements, said the sentence is warranted because of the severity of the crimes. An Anchorage jury convicted Barney earlier this summer on two weapons charges but deadlocked on a murder conspiracy charge.

The prosecutors’ pre-sentencing document includes details of an incident at the studio of North Pole radio station KJNP, where Cox had gone with an entourage to be interviewed.

“This is not a case where someone simply possessed an unregistered firearm in the closet of their home,” prosecutors wrote. “Barney led the security detail for Cox the night of KJNP with about five other individuals who were also armed and ready to kill for Cox. Barney was armed not just with his AR-15 assault rifle, but also the 37mm launcher loaded with a Hornet’s Nest anti-personnel round.

“Barney subsequently participated in conversations about killing government officials,” the document states. “Barney also opined about ways to be stronger to further that goal, such as recruiting and training, which are actions Barney previously took on behalf of Cox and his militia.”

Barney also, the document reads, harbored Cox and Cox’s weapons while Cox was a fugitive. “Then Barney made arrangements to purchase an unregistered silencer and went to an illegal weapons deal for grenades and silencers,” it continues.

Barney recruited people for Cox’s security detail and also found people to serve on what they referred to as a “common law court” to try Cox on charges that he had already been charged with or convicted on in state court. Those included an incident in which Cox was charged for failing to disclose his possession of a concealed handgun to a Fairbanks police officer.

“Barney was, in fact, a full fledged major — a leader — in Cox’s militia, was a trusted confidant and loyal compatriot,” the prosecutors wrote.

Cox, Barney and another man, Lonnie Vernon of Salcha, were convicted this summer in a lengthy federal trial in Anchorage in which they were charged with conspiracy to kill federal law enforcement officials and with possession of illegal weapons.

Cox and Vernon are scheduled to be sentenced November 19.

Contact Fairbanks Daily News-Miner managing editor Rod Boyce at 907-459-7585.

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Luke said on Friday, Sep 21 at 1:40 PM

Who considers a 'major' to be a 'foot soldier?' Beautiful family or not, he is an obvious co-conspirator in the Cox murder plans.

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Ministry said on Saturday, Sep 22 at 9:59 AM

Lies Lies Lies...we just got a smaller unit in AK...

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yeah talk about lies indeed said on Monday, Sep 24 at 9:33 PM

yeah I know todd palin belongs to that group that wants to separate alaska from the lower 48. so why is that again? oh right to serve the "higher purpose" and what is with sean getting lots of food? is it because of the dirty little rumor that a specific group of investors are gearing up to make the "end times" come to pass. hurry can't make that money enough.lol. they seriously have stock in commodities and other stuff to make this happen. these crazy militias are just the ground crews who will pillage and steal and kill and rape when the "end" is instigated. why doesn't the fbi check into juneau and see how far this association with this and other militias go? I got a funny feeling we will be better as a people to work together when the inevitable occurs, but to be a part of a global group that reaks havoc? I dont' think so. we already have had enough.

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