BWCA Idiocy and Mayhem: Update

Only a few days since this post, but traffic is way up and some punk suggests I'm going to get a civil lawsuit.

You remember the stalwarts of Ely, don't you? Take some time to refresh yourself with the story... visit the links in my previous post.

The group included Barney Lakner / Barney James Lakner (37), Jay Olson / Jay Andrew Olson (19), Zachary Barton / Zachary Ross Barton (19), Travis Erzar / Travis John Erzar (20), Casey Fenske / Casey James Fenske (19), and an unnamed 16 year old boy (check the criminal complaint, he's MU... and according to interviews with these jackasses, MU talks tough for a little kid of 16).

Ready? Then let's look at some of the charges:

* Zachary Ross Barton, 19, charged with three felony counts of terroristic threats, six felony counts of harassment and one misdemeanor count each of reckless discharge of a firearm and underage consumption.

* Travis John Erzar, 20, charged with three felony counts of terroristic threats, six felony counts of harassment and one misdemeanor count of underage consumption.

* Casey James Fenske, 19, charged with four felony counts of terroristic threats, six felony counts of harassment, one felony count of criminal damage to property, and misdemeanor counts of reckless discharge of a firearm and underage consumption.

* Barney James Lakner, 37, charged with four felony counts of terroristic threats, 11 felony counts of harassment, two felony counts of possession of firearms, two gross misdemeanor counts of theft, and one misdemeanor count each of transporting an uncased firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm and possession and use of fireworks.

* Jay Andrew Olson, 19, charged with four felony counts of terroristic threats, 12 felony counts of harassment, two felony counts of criminal damage to property, two gross misdemeanor counts of theft, one gross misdemeanor count of possession of stolen property, and one misdemeanor count each of reckless discharge of a firearm and underage consumption.

(Emphasis mine.)

Hmmm. If I was charged with terrorizing and shooting mayhem in the Boundary Waters, the last thing I would be concerned with is some guy with a blog who is quoting the news, slinging insults, and speculating that he hits on young men after giving them beer.

Not only that:

...the Ontario Provincial Police also are investigating the incident. It’s unclear whether Canadian charges will be brought for violations of Canadian firearms laws.

Federal charges and potential charges from another country, too?

Not only that:

Items authorities recovered from the suspects’ two boats included a high-powered, semi-automatic assault-style rifle with three 30-round clips, a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a .22 caliber rifle, a .22 caliber pistol, ammunition, spent shell casings, fireworks residue, beer and items stolen from one campsite.

(Emphasis mine.)

What was it that Olson kid said?

According to the Star-Tribune, [Olson] told investigators that the men "kind of pushed it, yeah. We should have stopped."

Clearly the brains of the operation.

Just a little "fun" as Barton apparently said... you know, because they simply wanted to "stir things up a bit".

The man old enough to buy beer, Lakner (who apparently has such poor taste that he drinks Pabst), was in such a mood for cute fun:

Lakner was wearing a knit hat with fake dreadlocks attached to it. [Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Jim] Hoberg had known Lakner for over 20 years, but did not recognize him at first.

During the pat-search, Hoberg noticed Lakner was wearing a .45 caliber semi-automatic side arm and had another bullet clip on his belt.

Just a reminder in case you didn't look at the original story (or didn't see this in the Duluth News Tribune), the criminal complaint stated that these fine young boys (at least one of which wears a dopey expression on his face) and a grown man (with a desire to get young men buzzed cheap beer and take them out to skinny-dip) yelled at some campers hiding in the woods and threatened to kill one camper and rape the camper's daughter.

Ah, their parents should be so proud.

As the officers continued arrest procedures, they heard the second boat approaching and instructed the first three suspects to remain silent.

However, Lakner continually talked louder, according to the complaint, apparently trying to alert the second boat of their situation. Ely Police Officer Chad Hood began to escort Lakner to a squad car about 50 yards away, but Lakner persisted shouting to the point that Hood had to wrestle him to the ground and cover his mouth.

Lakner apparently doesn't mind tangling with a cop from the Northern stretch of Minnesota in the wee hours. I'm telling you, this guy has issues.

In all, Deputy Hoberg and Agent Elkins talked to at least 80 people regarding the case.

If convicted, penalties for each count of aiding and abetting terroristic threats, harassment and firearms possession is five years incarceration, or a $10,000 fine, or both. Theft penalties include one year incarceration, a $3,000 fine, or both. Reckless discharge of a firearm, transporting an uncased firearm, and possession and use of fireworks all have penalties of 90 days incarceration, a $1,000 fine, or both.

(Emphasis mine.)

I'm not saying... I'm just saying.

The five were summoned to make their initial appearance in Lake County District Court on Oct. 1.

I get to update this story in next month, too! Maybe I'll quote the criminal complaint and provide some of the language these boys admit to making.

I think my blogging might pick up a little over the next two weeks. Just a hunch.