Militia Extremist Convicted of Attempting to Cause a Civil Disturbance While Armed

U.S. Attorney's Office October 25, 2011

KNOXVILLE, TN-On Tuesday, October 25, 2011, Darren Wesley Huff, 41, of Dallas, Georgia, was found guilty of transporting firearms across state lines with the intent to cause a civil disorder by taking over a Monroe County, Tenn., courthouse and executing "citizens arrest warrants." Huff faces a maximum possible punishment of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As a convicted felon Huff will also be prohibited from possessing a firearm. Sentencing is scheduled for February 29, 2012, before the Honorable Thomas Varlan, U.S. District Judge.

The "citizens arrest warrants" were directed at numerous local, state and federal public officials, including sheriffs, police chiefs, and United States President Barack Obama. The "citizens arrest warrants" Huff attempted to execute listed the public officials as "Declared Domestic Enemies" and cited them for treason. Huff traveled from his residence in Dallas, Georgia, on April 20, 2010, to Madisonville, Tenn., with the stated intent of "taking over" the courthouse in Monroe County, and arresting the public officials for treason.

The treasonous acts Huff alleged stemmed primarily from the refusal of the Monroe County grand jury to indict President Obama, who Huff claimed was not the legitimate President of the United States. On the day of the offense, Huff carried in his vehicle a .45 caliber handgun and an AK-47 with ammunition. During a traffic stop by at Tennessee State Trooper on his way to Madisonville, Huff told the trooper, "I've got my .45 because ain't no government official gonna go peacefully."

U.S. Attorney William C. Killian commended the verdict and said he hoped it would send a strong message to those who attempt to take the law into their own hands.

"Under our federal Constitution and statutes Mr. Huff and others like him can talk or write about their anti-government views. They cannot arm themselves and make threats to arrest public officials and takeover government buildings." The core of our democratic system is to allow peaceful protest, but prohibit armed threats to those who serve our government. His conviction is a great achievement by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore and Mackie and several local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Their cooperative efforts resulted in this conviction," said U.S. Attorney Bill Killian.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeff Theodore and Will Mackie represented the United States.



 


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