Grand Jury Indicts Two for “Ecoterror” Crime Spree

FCUSA PRESS RELEASE, SEPTEMBER 22, 1998
Grand Jury Indicts Two for “Ecoterror” Crime Spree
MADISON, WISCONSIN, Sept. 22: A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging two men from Washington State with animal enterprise terrorism and unlawful interference with interstate commerce.
The decision was announced today by Peggy Lautenschlager, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, and Demery Bishop, Special Agent in charge of the FBI in Wisconsin.
The indictment alleges that in October 1997, Peter Young and Justin Samuel attacked fur farms and stole and abandoned livestock with the intent to cause significant economic damage to the farms. In addition, it alleges overt acts in three states (South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin) as part of a conspiracy to engage in extortion by attempting to coerce the farmers to close their businesses rather than face the threat of further economic losses as a result of their attacks.
The overt acts alleged in the six-count indictment include conducting surveillance on numerous farms and the release of breeding stock mink from fur farms in Independence, Medford and Tomahawk, Wisconsin. In total, 3,600 mink were stolen and abandoned. Young and Samuel face a maximum penalty of 20 years on each of four counts, and one year on each of the other two counts.
In a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s office, Lautenschlager said, “This indictment reflects the determination of the law enforcement community and my office to address criminal activity designed to curtail or shut down a lawful industry, such as the conduct alleged in this indictment.”
The charges against Young and Samuel are the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. Bishop credited the neighborhood watch efforts of a Wisconsin fur farmer and the investigative efforts of the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department for enabling identification of Young and Samuel as suspects in the farm attacks.
Young and Samuel are currently fugitives. Anyone with information on their whereabouts should contact FBI Special Agents Brian Manganello or Barry Babler at (414) 276-4684.
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For further information contact Fur Commission USA.
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