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Bounty Hunter Disrupts Possible Terror Plot
July 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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@Mike - - -
Yup
Posted by: eddiemunster | Jul 31, 2007 11:16:35 PM
Think of it this way: In 1776 we were terrorists. What was our target, the British Military, otherwise called the Red Coats due to their uniforms. Terrorist target both civilian and military targets in their efforts to disrupt legitimate government actions. This is what happened then, when we dumped tea into Boston Harbor (and we fished it out too.) This is also what is happening today in Iraq. Both civilians and the military, both Iraqi, American and third country. This individual was both a terrorist and in bad need of mental health help. Let's hope that he gets help for his problems and spends a little time thinking about what he was doing and the effects that it could have for both him and the people he attacked.
Posted by: James M. | Jul 31, 2007 11:24:51 PM
This should be a lesson to the military. Quit screwing over your soldiers en masse and you'll ensure your safety. Much like the US government. Quit overthrowing democratically elected leaders of 3rd world countries for economic gain and you will secure your safety from terrorism. Ever wonder why Sweden doesn't have bombs raining down on them??
Posted by: guerosalsero | Jul 31, 2007 11:54:04 PM
Mr. Johnson, if you only knew the truth
Posted by: dee dee dee | Aug 1, 2007 1:20:12 AM
911 was an inside job!!!
Posted by: Me | Aug 1, 2007 2:23:40 AM
If you are "anti-American", move! Noone is stopping you from leaving this horrible place and making it somewhere else. Anyone who plans to set off a bomb ANYWHERE in the USA is a terrorist! Period!
Posted by: mary | Aug 1, 2007 5:07:53 AM
terrorists...criminals...nationalists...rebels...semantics...
Posted by: Jazz | Aug 1, 2007 9:26:34 AM
So...us military setting off bombs outside the usa is not terrorism ?
Posted by: Outside Onlooker | Aug 1, 2007 10:52:25 AM
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A 'FUSE' TO BE LITE AND IGNITE A POWERED PACKED VESSEL. IF SOMEONE WAS TO IGNITE A POWERED PACKED CONTAINER. AND KNEW WHAT HE/SHE WAS DOING, THEY WOULD USE A 'FUZE'!
Posted by: SAL | Aug 1, 2007 9:16:24 PM
Sorry boys & girls; anyone not in a military uniform who attacks civilians or military targets is a terrorist. Period. In Vietnam we called them sappers 9or guerrillas--or charlie). In Africa, we called them Terrs or "G's". No matter what, if they are not a uniformed member of someone's standing military organization, then they are terrorists.
And what do we do with a terrorist, b&g? We kill them and move on to the next battle.
Posted by: Bill | Aug 1, 2007 9:45:09 PM
Go Cobra!
When you become a bounty hunter can you give yourself a moniker (ala "Dog" or "Cobra") or is that something you earn (i.e. given to you by co-workers after years of experience) and until then they just call you Doug or Little Mike or something?
Posted by: Jim | Aug 2, 2007 8:30:36 AM
Why do I see hair splitting when I encounter verbal gymnasts offering up a narrow definition of "terrorist." To these presumed Webster Dictionary purists a person in the military, innocent of crimes or otherwise, can be murdered in his sleep or wherever, and we won't deem it terrorism. What nonsense!
Posted by: Howard Wolf | Aug 2, 2007 10:36:46 PM
funny i don't hear the left wing dems saying anything. Like the gentleman above said you blow up a bomb in the United States of America, you are nothing but a LOW LIFE terrorist.Great job Mr. bounty hunter
Posted by: Mike | Aug 3, 2007 6:45:36 AM
The real problem that we have are those above who try to define the meaning of the word terrorist. It is evident these people do not know what this country is facing and their apathy will be our true down fall!
Posted by: WFL | Aug 3, 2007 7:16:52 AM
great job there cobra ! not to change the subject, but quit patronizing al sharpton. he's nothing but a troublemaker. he keeps the fire going, and keeps this country in constant turmoil with the race thing. we have enough to worry about these days, don't need him adding to all the chaous in the country. the media needs to let him die, maybe he'll go somewhere into obscurity. we're sick of seeing him in the news all the time.
Posted by: jo- | Aug 3, 2007 12:00:17 PM
Just questioning the bounty hunters' claim that he has captured over 8,000 fugitives in his career. I'm curious how old he is & how long he's been in the business. he would have to capture 1 fugitive every day for 22 years, holidays included. Does ABC News check facts like these before running them ? It could be true, but sounds unlikely.
Posted by: CARPARTZADAM | Aug 3, 2007 5:06:31 PM
From the pictures I saw of this guy he was probably discharged for his weight!!!
Posted by: JJ | Aug 4, 2007 3:36:00 PM
I think the Bush administration is a terrorist organization. And, if they had there way we would all be terrorist if we weren't onboard or subscribed to there idealology. It's presidents like Bush that create terrorist with there way of thinking, and misleading information to further there cause. So, that would make about 90% of Americans terrorist because they don't subscribe to Bush' lies and deciet. I blame him for America's condition!
Posted by: Winfield Scott | Aug 5, 2007 4:35:36 PM
Boy you caught this guy and put that internet spammer in jail for thirty years all in the same week. What a great week for American justice. HHAHHAHHAHA America sucks so bad it is funny.
Posted by: Bob | Aug 5, 2007 5:25:56 PM
From Webster: Terrorism - The systematic use of violence, terror, and intimidation to achieve an end.
Although he had acquired sufficient tools to implement a campaign of terror he does not meet the necessary category of terrorist unless the law enforcement can find evidence of intent. I know many individuals who have extensive of collections of weapons, none of whom would qualify as terrorists. In all cases they have frustration with one government agency or another. I don't believe we have given away the ideal of innocent until proven guilty. Let's quit overuse of the term terrorist.
I agree with the "big john". Let's get Dog and Cobra a visa into Pakistan and see what they can do. At the very least sending in a couple TV production crews might flush OBL and company into the open.
Posted by: BooMan | Aug 9, 2007 1:00:44 PM
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