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Bounty Hunter Disrupts Possible Terror Plot
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ShareJuly 31, 2007 3:14 PM
A terrorist attack on U.S. soil may have been averted, thanks to the efforts of a Florida bounty hunter.
William "Cobra" Staubs claims to have captured more than 8,000 fugitives in his long career hunting bail-jumpers. But his latest nab got the attention of federal terrorism investigators: a self-described ex-soldier allegedly harboring a cache of military-grade explosives, functional pipe bombs and other weapons -- and a deep grudge against the U.S. military.
"It's not some hillybilly saying, 'Hey Mama, how you doing?' This was real," Cobra told ABC News.
After a month-long chase through three states, Cobra caught 38-year-old Christopher Riendeau holed up in a motel near the Fort Campbell, Ky. U.S. Army base. Riendeau, a purported 17-year Army veteran, had skipped out on a $100,000 bond after being arrested on drug charges.
Photos: Catching a Possible Lone-Wolf Terrorist
Once Riendeau was behind bars, he agreed to a proposal from Cobra to sell off his motorcycle and other items from a Georgia storage shed he rented, to cover his court expenses.
In the shed, Cobra discovered more: 16 loaded and fully functional pipe bombs, two pounds of C-4 military explosives, grenade fuses and an arsenal of 60 firearms and ammunition.
"There are real bombs. We dare not pull the pin on them," Cobra said as he walked through the shed on a videotape obtained by ABC News. "We're going to be calling the bomb squad in a few minutes."
Cobra also found a cleaned and pressed U.S. military uniform and an array of Nazi paraphernalia.
World News Video: Home Threat: Suspected American Terrorist
Cobra says Riendeau told him he had a grudge against the military because he had been unfairly discharged from the Army. Riendeau's lawyer, Jerry Berry, declined to comment for this story.
"Every place he stayed was near a military base," Cobra told ABC News. "This guy had a problem with the military. This guy had guns, more than he could shoot in any one time...and a lot of ammunition and bombs."
The bombs were seized by law enforcement and destroyed. The FBI is currently investigating whether Riendeau was possibly planning a revenge attack on a U.S. military base, as what the FBI calls a "lone-wolf" terrorist -- a terrorist with no connection to a larger group.
"You definitely have to take this kind of thing seriously," said Brad Garrett, a celebrated former FBI special agent who worked numerous terrorism investigations and now an ABC News consultant. "There's not enough time taken, in my view, looking for these types of people."
Riendeau is now being held without bail while a federal grand jury investigates.
This post has been updated.
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
July 31, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (44)
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Too bad it wasn't the "dogg" and Beth. atleast they would have bear maced him!
Posted by: TheMan | Jul 31, 2007 3:47:44 PM
gives a new meaning to the phrase "Go Army" I'm sure the post office would appreciate that.
Posted by: tony | Jul 31, 2007 4:01:02 PM
Just one more looney tune in a nation of millions!
Posted by: Mike | Jul 31, 2007 4:22:06 PM
Isnt the definition of a terrorist a person who attacks civilians for political or ideological purposes? In that case, this guy would be attacking a military complex in revenge, not for the purposes of fear. He could be called a lone soldier using Guerilla warfare, but calling him a terrorist implies he was targetting civilians, which doesnt appear to be the case. Anyways, the Media should stop labelling everyone anti-American as a terrorist. There are other kinds of anti-Americans too..
Posted by: d00d | Jul 31, 2007 4:34:55 PM
Looks like to me we found a guy named Cobra to go hunt down the 6'10 man named osama! Hint! he is the tallest man in Pakistan. Congratulations Cobra we need more men like you!
Posted by: big john | Jul 31, 2007 4:36:18 PM
Thanks for the good work Cobra! By the way, did this guy Riendeau have a legitimate beef? Why was he discharged?
Posted by: rightone | Jul 31, 2007 5:07:27 PM
Way to go Cobra!
Posted by: Gerald | Jul 31, 2007 5:36:19 PM
"...planning a revenge attack on a U.S. military base, as what the FBI calls a "lone-wolf" terrorist..."
I would not describe a person who attacks military targets as a "terrorist". Military targets, by their nature, are legitimate targets in armed conflict.
This man may have been planning to attack civilian targets. If so, then he could be fairly referred to as a terrorist.
Posted by: Somebody | Jul 31, 2007 6:01:58 PM
You should know mike. By the way how are your other millions of friends.?
Posted by: claude westervelt | Jul 31, 2007 6:02:22 PM
You media guys with the journalist degrees and FBI agents need to brush up on your definitions for terrorist. This single guy was by no means a terrorist. As has been so well pointed out a terrorist targets civilians. This man was going to target military installations. And my guess would be base headquarters or command posts which would have mostly military personnel or civilians in military functions. I personally think you people are over using the "terrorist" word a bit much and if you keep doing it then people will start growing complacent and become numb and when we have a real terrorist attack no one will be ready because you have been calling WOLF for too many times. Think about it.
Posted by: michael norman | Jul 31, 2007 6:19:39 PM
Umm, Mike is correct, claude...
Posted by: Jazz | Jul 31, 2007 6:48:44 PM
You'd be suprised how many civilians there are on US military bases. This is also more of a potential terrorist attack "by proxy". Terrorist don't have to attack civilians directly, they can also attack infrastructure.
Posted by: Tim | Jul 31, 2007 7:34:23 PM
Yeah, he is a terrorist. He is a criminal isn't he! Just because he had guns doesn't make much difference. I see terrorists everywhere. The other day a driver cut me off, and started cursing because I was not going fast enough for him. He is a terrorist. He needs to be locked too.
Posted by: Moore | Jul 31, 2007 7:38:00 PM
Filming before calling the police? Making a deal with a criminal for money? Going into a place that could be a trap. I really hope there is more to this story.
Posted by: "The Badger" | Jul 31, 2007 7:56:31 PM
ABC should stop trying to fit everything into the Bush regime party line. This guy is not a terrorist, he's a home-grown paranoid gun nut. The woods are full of them. Nothing unamerican about him, unfortunately.
Posted by: Tracy | Jul 31, 2007 8:51:39 PM
My Oxford:Terrorist Any one who attempts to further his views by a system of coercive intimidation.
In early use also applied spec. to members of one of the extreme revolutionary societies in Russia. The term now usually refers to a member of a clandestine or expatriate organization aiming to coerce an established government by acts of violence against it or its subjects.
Posted by: Mike Johnson | Jul 31, 2007 9:07:48 PM
""It's not some hillybilly saying, 'Hey Mama, how you doing?' This was real," Cobra told ABC News." WHAT? I can't believe that ABC News published this comment. People have finished with the "N" word and Appalachian American's have finished with "hillybilly" word.
Coming from the national media on the nightly news you should be ashamed of this. 'Hey Mama, how you doing?
Mama done made a Bomb back in the 40's that changed the face of humanity.
Posted by: Bob Davis | Jul 31, 2007 9:23:18 PM
Hmmm... so if your reasoning that this guy is not a terrorist because his targets were associated with the military is correct, why didn't anybody bring this up when those Muslim men were accused of plotting to attack Fort Dix?? Or can only Muslims be terrorists?
Posted by: James | Jul 31, 2007 10:18:51 PM
Job well done Mr.bounty hunter, but it does sound like this guy ,offered you his murchandice to pay off his debt and you just happen to stumble on the rest of the goods,fact is we are just glad someone got him. and as for the word terrorist yes I also believe it is being used in the wrong guy. and wrong case.
Posted by: Art | Jul 31, 2007 10:34:02 PM
congrats brian for staying on top of the story. without you there are no real investigative journalist. you are without competition. stop touching your son.
dog the bounty hunter
Posted by: normloranger@msn.com | Jul 31, 2007 11:07:52 PM
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