Two More Militia Members Indicted in Murder Plot

U.S. District of Alaska Attorney Karen Loeffler says the Thursday indictments were not focused on the group's overall motives, just the laws on the books.

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Story Created: Mar 18, 2011 at 9:34 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 18, 2011 at 9:34 AM AKDT

Two more potential militia members were indicted in the alleged murder plot of an Alaskan federal judge, the judge's family, and an IRS employee.

According to the indictments, Lonnie Vernon and his wife Karen Vernon conspired to murder the district judge who was presiding over a civil tax case filed against them in federal court seeking past unpaid taxes.

The second indictment issued today charges Francis “Schaeffer” Cox, Coleman Barney and Lonnie Vernon with conspiracy to possess unregistered destructive devices.

Five people, including militia activist Schaeffer Cox, were arrested last Thursday in the Fairbanks area.

His group, the Alaska Peacekeepers Milita, contends that all individuals are sovereign citizens and that the government has no authority over them.

U.S. District of Alaska Attorney Karen Loeffler says the Thursday indictments were not focused on the group's overall motives but just the laws on the books.

"This is about people that issued threats and as part of that at the same time they're issuing threats, they're holding weapons that are destructive devices and are illegal under the law.  With regard to the protection of people in Fairbanks, I will tell you this was a joint investigation with everybody focusing on the laws that exist. We only arrest people for laws that exist, not for what they're thinking. Law enforcement has worked long and hard and diligently to develop the best cases they can."

There was no mention Thursday of Michael Anderson who was charged in state court along with the others.

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