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Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

Apr 15

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1778934612095295555

THREAD: I was one of only two media I'm aware of in the courtroom today for a lengthy hearing where the federal government fought to hold Russell "Duke" Vane IV pre-trial.

This thread will be based on my notes and court documents.

No cameras, phones, etc were allowed inside.

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1778934612095295555

2) U.S. Marshals brought Vane into Room 400 of the Eastern District of Virginia Courthouse in a green jumpsuit before Judge William B Porter.

FBI Special Agent Marc Gastaldo, who wrote the criminal affidavit, testified to "multiple positive tests for Ricin" in the past 3 days.

3) Defense attorney Geremy Kamens made arguments matching some in this filing.

He noted a relatively small amount of actual Ricin found in Vane's house, no fingerprints as of now, and no proof of when the Ricin was produced.

Judge found probable cause, shifting to detention.

Read 39 tweets

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

Apr 12

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1774773763013324943

BREAKING THREAD: On April 11, Russell Vane IV - the subject of my reporting who allegedly attempted to provoke a Virginia militia group into producing explosives - was arrested.

He is charged with "Attempted production of a biological agent or toxin."

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1774773763013324943

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1775899091677192415

2) According to the criminal complaint, the FBI received multiple tips after I published the story about Vane - who went by Duke - on April 1.

He apparently tried to legally change his name on April 3, the same day a false obituary of him appeared.

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1775899091677192415

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1774784895853723664

3) The feds cite my reporting, where I show unclassified government documents that the Virginia Kekoas militia members were allegedly handed by Duke, and he later appears to acknowledge giving them.

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1774784895853723664

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1774785806470648122

Read 19 tweets

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

Apr 1

INVESTIGATIVE VIDEO THREAD: The Virginia Kekoas, a pro-gun prepper militia based in Eastern Virginia and formerly affiliated with the Boogaloo movement, tells News2Share that they recently kicked out a member they believe may have been plotting an explosives-related entrapment attempt against the group, or worse.

Russell Richardson Vane IV first made contact with the Virginia Kekoas in April 2022, according to the group's leader Eddie Ray, who goes by "ICE" and member Cody Beckner, who goes by "Sasquatch." Vane allegedly adopted the call sign "Duke."

The pair provided extensive screenshots and documents showing that since joining, Vane - as "Duke" - engaged in an escalating sequence of unusual behavior that included apparent provocations for the group to develop homemade explosives. Homemade explosives lacking an ATF registration are generally a federal felony.

"Sasquatch" and "ICE" spoke exclusively to News2Share to provide a thorough timeline of the events that led up to "Duke" being removed from their organization.

2) ICE and Sasquatch say that upon reaching out to the Kekoas in 2022, Duke identified himself as working for the CIA, but was allowed to remain a prospective member rather than being ejected because they believed he may have advanced knowledge of world-altering events.

3) Within two weeks of joining, the pair say Duke asked about a "group fund." They say no fund exists and members pay their own way, but such a fund could "fall under certain federal laws" like RICO.

ICE says Duke also asked about forming his own chapter and was denied.

Read 54 tweets

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

Mar 23

Here at Lancaster Public Library in Pennsylvania, both supporters and protesters had permits and planned to gather over a Drag Story Time.

The event, slated to start at 1pm, has now been cancelled after a “suspicious package” was reportedly found.

https://twitter.com/brettsholtis/status/1771552139090772208

https://twitter.com/brettsholtis/status/1771552139090772208

#Lancaster

Read 16 tweets

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

Feb 27

VIDEO THREAD: Bodycamera footage has been released showing a Chicago Police Officer last month blindly firing his gun toward a child who had been playing with fireworks, missing every shot.

The shooter was one of three cops responding to a faulty "ShotSpotter" alert of gunfire.

2) A Ring camera shows the child playing with a ball and fireworks.

About 15 seconds in, the fireworks ignite, followed immediately by police gunfire.

"No, it's just fireworks!" the child says about 28 seconds in.

3) A second bodycam from the January 25 incident was also released.

This officer erroneously reports "shots fired at police" but unlike his fellow officer, he does not shoot in the direction of the unarmed child.

Read 6 tweets

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

Feb 27

VIDEO THREAD: Pro-Palestine activists burned an Israeli Flag outside the Israeli Embassy tonight while playing the audio of U.S. airman Aaron Bushnell's self-immolation here from just one day ago.

"This is in solidarity with Aaron, who burned his body. At the very least, we can burn the Zionist flag," one said.

"If we burn, you burn with us!" the group chanted.

"Quit your jobs!" they chanted at police guarding the building.

2) "You killed that man!" an activist yelled at Secret Service guarding the Israeli Embassy. "You pulled your guns out instead of a fire extinguisher!"

Ashes from U.S. airman Aaron Bushnell's self-immolation remained on the sidewalk beside the officers' feet.

3) "In a selfless and devastating act of immolation, this service member laid down their life to spotlight the struggles, the injustices, and the relentless pain endured by countless individuals every day in Palestine. His last, true, words were 'Free Palestine.'"