BWCA Idiocy and Mayhem: Barney Lakner Update

Thanks to Observer who dropped a comment with a link to an update on Lakner and the Ely Six.

BWCA shooting suspect will contest evidence
Duluth News Tribune
Published Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Barney James Lakner, one of six Ely residents charged with making terroristic threats against campers on Basswood Lake last August, will contest the evidence against him at a pre-trial omnibus hearing in March.

Lakner was scheduled for an omnibus hearing today in State District Court in Lake County but his attorney requested a contested omnibus hearing now set for March 24. Lakner could challenge constitutional issues and other evidence against him. It’s likely law enforcement officers involved in the case could be called to testify at the hearing.

Lakner is charged with several felony crimes for an incident in which several guns and large fireworks were fired near campers on Basswood Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on Aug. 7. One other trial is scheduled in the case and three other suspects have pleaded guilty in the case. A 16-year-old boy also is charged in the case in juvenile court.

Law enforcement officers might very well get called to testify, huh... didn't the guy who initially showed up know Lakner? Read the criminal complaint... it is in there.

BWCA Idiocy and Mayhem: Barton Update

Well... what's up?

Barton pleaded guilty to felony aiding and abetting terroristic threats in connection with the Aug. 7 night-time incident on Basswood Lake, in which dozens of BWCA campers reported being harassed by men who fired guns and yelled threats from motorboats.

...and?

Barton also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of underage drinking and reckless discharge of a firearm. He testified that he fired a .22-caliber pistol at objects on the shore and laughed as his companions yelled and swore at campers.

Don't you love listening to kids try to skip responsibility with comments like, "Dude... I don't know," and "I guess"?

Look no farther than Zack Barton... total moron. (Buggs might call him a maroon.)

Lake County Attorney Russ Conrow asked Barton on Tuesday: "Do you believe that what was being said or how it was said could have caused terror?"

After a long pause, Barton answered: "I suppose."

Maybe you might agree, clearly and without a vague response, that the acts you, Zack Barton, committed were not only wrong but completely stupid... right?

"I suppose."

What in the flaming hootie-hoo is wrong with you, kid? Don't you have any idea about how serious this is?

"I suppose."

Christ! You must be a complete jerkoff.

"I suppose."

Dork.

Speaking of dorks...

Also on Tuesday, defendant Barney Lakner, 38, was allowed to continue his next hearing until Feb. 19, and defendant Jay Olson, 19, pleaded not guilty and requested a trial.

Olson's attorney, David Keegan, produced letters from more than 30 character witnesses on his client's behalf. Several wrote that Olson's alleged crimes were out of character and that they hope his punishment won't prevent him from finishing college.

His drove the boat. (Allegedly.) He also yelled at whoever told Lakner, MU, and him to shut up (and apparently, to knock off the shooting.) Olson and Lakner appeared to be the ringleaders, with the MU kid playing big shot.

However, in Olson's defense, he seems to have thought they should have stopped or knocked it off or not gone too far.


What else? The prosecution is pushing for extended jurisdiction for "MU"... the 16-year-old kid who thinks his penis is large and is eager to proove it.

BWCA Idiocy and Mayhem: Erzar and Fenske Update

Getting a lot of traffic... that must mean there's a development in the story of Barney Lakner and His Jackass Six.
You remember, he's the guy in his 30s who got a bunch of guys in their late teens and early twenties drunk (plus an underage, 16-year old, snot-nosed kid refered to as MU in the criminal complaint, apparently with a big mouth) on cheap beer, fired off guns, scared the shit out of a bunch of campers (possibly a bunch of wanky enviro-safe, urban dwellers who think the Indigo Girls are really neat), and "implied" that one of the girl campers was going to get used for hours.

For refreshers on the topic: Here, here, here, and here. Also, the charges and the criminal complaint.

The only defense brought to light by commentors here suggests that threats of rape are perfectly fine when you want some 'smores.

What's new?

As part of guilty pleas entered Monday, two of the six defendants charged with terrorizing campers in a drunken shooting spree last summer must testify against the others and can't enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for three years.

Which of the two morons?

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.

Erzar apparently didn't do much.

Erzar said in court Monday that while he was along for the ride, he didn't yell or shoot any guns. He pleaded guilty not only to the felony count but also to a misdemeanor count of consumption of alcohol by a minor. He agreed to be sentenced to three years' probation, to testify if necessary at the trials of the remaining defendants, and to stay out of the BWCA for three years.

Yeah, we've heard folks say "it wasn't me" before... however, it's probably true. Barney and the other punks probably think Erzar is a pussy. "The fucking pussy didn't fire a rounnd and he turns us in." Erzar probably didn't like the crappy beer they had either. I can't say I would blame him.

...Fenske admitted firing his .22-caliber pistol 40 to 50 times that night into the water. He also admitted to shooting the door of a "gauging station," a government structure. In addition to the felony count, he pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property and a misdemeanor count of reckless discharge of a firearm.

Perhaps he was just excited to see (or be seen by) one of his friends skinny-dipping.

I can only imagine what the guys themselves really think... or if they are browsing this very blog right now.


Future updates to come. How do I know?

The attorney for a third defendant, Zachary Barton, 20, said in court Monday that they too are negotiating a potential plea. Sandvik ordered Barton to reappear Jan. 22. Also scheduled to appear that day for pretrial hearings are defendants Barney Lakner, 38, and Jay Olson, 19. The 16-year-old's case is pending in juvenile court, Conrow said.

This might get wrapped up by the middle or end of February. Even when the case is over, we'll never know if any of those folks are at least a little creeped out by a 38-year old man plying a kid as young as 16 with (crappy) beer and letting some of them go skinny-dipping.

Anyone? Anyone?

BWCA Idiocy and Mayhem: Cold

Not much happening... not much will happen for some time. The story has gone colder than the comments.

It looks like Zachary Ross Barton (19), Travis John Erzar (20), and Casey James Fenske (19)...

...made their second appearance in State District Court in Lake County in Two Harbors today.

As mentioned earlier, Barney James Lakner (37... isn't that creepy?) and Jay Andrew Olson (19) are scheduled to appear in court later...

The so-called Rule 8 hearings were held in front of Judge Kenneth Sandvik, but no pleas were en-tered. Omnibus hearings are scheduled for December 3. Any trials won’t be held until next year.

That's probably all, then.

BWCA Idiocy and Mayhem: Some Delay

Nothing yet on the Ely Six, but two have a delayed court appearance.

From Mesabi Daily News in Virginia, MN

...several of those accused in the BWCAW rampage last summer will appear again to answer to the terroristic threats charges in Sixth District Court in Two Harbors Monday.

[....]

In Two Harbors, Zachary Ross Barton, 19, Travis John Erzar, 20, and Casey James Fenske, 19, all of Ely, will appear before Judge Kenneth Sandvik at 10 a.m. Suspects Barney James Lakner, 37, and Jay Andrew Olson, 19, both of Ely, had their appearances delayed until Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. A 16-year-old boy has also been charged in the case.

Between them, the six stand charged with 79 separate counts of terroristic threats, harassment, theft and other charges after drinking and allegedly terrorizing many campers on Basswood Lake on Aug. 7. The threats by the group of six also allegedly included gunfire (with an assault rifle and a pistol), the lighting off of fireworks, alcohol consumption and lighting the water on fire with gasoline, according to the criminal complaint.

BWCA Idiocy and Mayhem: Still to Come

Perhaps a small update on the horizon?

The next court appearance for the five adults is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 10:00 a.m.

We'll find out next week.

Courtesy: Timberjay Newspapers

BWCA Idiocy and Mayhem: Slight Update

A story on the Ely Six and the BWCA idiocy popped up on Friday in Newsweek. We now have photos of three more of Ely's finest, upstanding, well-behaved, well-adjusted, big-talkers (and junk-beer-drinkers).

Let's all look at the jackasses: Barney Lakner, 37; Jay Olson, 19; Travis Erzar, 20; Casey Fenske, 19; and Zachary Ross Barton, 19.
The photograph and identity of 16 year old MU (refered to in the criminal complaint) will not be released as he is a defendant.

God help those who witnessed these lads swimming naked.

Let's have a recap:

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

While we wait for more developments (and perhaps more pictures) we hear from Lakner's mother-in-law in the Newsweek story:

Dina Hill, a lifelong Ely resident and Lakner’s mother-in-law, worries about how this will impact her daughter and their children. "We have to hope for the best. It could just go away or it could be a medium punishment or full force,” she says. “You just shake your head 'cause these are all good kids. It was just stupidity. They were just showing off."

Showing off? If that is the case, then some of those campers were exaggerating quite a bit... still a possibility, but I'm going to hedge my bet that if these six were in fact showing off then they are all ginormous jackasses.

Here's another report from last week: WCCO: Ely distances itself from a rage against visitors.

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.

How Do You Rack Up 79 Criminal Charges at the Boundary Waters?

I'm guessing it is just like getting to Carnegie Hall. (Practice.)

Big story in the Strib... I heard about it on Garage Logic today while taking a quick break from work.

Apparently, back in early August a group of guys got drunk on some Pabst up in the Boundary Waters, acted like complete jackasses, yelled and swore at some campers, fired guns, launched some fireworks, and threatened to rape or even kill members of a family.

Christ, and folks in the South get tarred as jackasses. Folks, geography doesn't fence this stuff in.

One family's daughter claims these folks were less than civil:

At one point, Marina Koller told authorities, one of the men said, "Maybe if you make us s'mores for an hour, we won't ... kill you!"[The men said] they were going to kill me and rape us all, in very graphic terms,"

The group included Barney James Lakner (37), Jay Andrew Olson (19), Zachary R. Barton (19), Travis J. Erzar (20), Casey J. Fenske (19), and an unnamed 16 year old boy.

Lakner looks more like a 48 year old sex offender... just take a look:

Barney J. Lakner... jackass

Okay, he's probably not a sex offender... we hope he's not a sex offender. I suspect he a least fell out of the dumb-shit tree (and hit some of the biggest branches on the way down).

A 37 year old guy drinking, boating, shooting, and threatening rape along with a bunch of guys barely old enough to be legally termed "men"... and a minor. I suspect this Lakner guy has some BIG issues. If I were one of the parents of any of these other punk-ass, dork-faced, no-account, good-for-nothing, dim-bulb, one beer away from date-rape jackasses I would (after playing a little chin music) want to speak with Mr. Lakner regarding the relationship he may (or may not) have with my son.

According the the Strib story:

Two of the men skinny-dipped.

Yeah, I'm fine with my body... I don't mind being naked if there is a reason... but I can't really see the need to go get naked with a man roughly 20 years older than me. What's more, I really see no reason to strip off and swim with boys roughly 20 years younger than me.

However, maybe one of the guys was this prize winning genius:

Jay A. Olson... moron

...and if he was, I might just disown the moron. (I might also expect that some 37 year old guy convinced him to strip down and swim.)

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

Wow! The kid's got a great future as a Monday morning quarterback.

Going back to the creepy-looking Lakner, he had an interesting time back in Spring of 2004... look at this:

Illegal Snowmobilers Apprehended in BWCAW

During a snowmobile patrol on Saturday, March 6, Forest Service law enforcement officers apprehended five men who were illegally snowmobiling on Crooked Lake, north of Ely, inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

[...]

All five individuals charged in this case are residents, or former residents, of Ely, including: Barney J. Lakner, 34; David R. Marttila, 40; Thomas N. Edman, 40; Mark E. Merhar, 38; and Thomas M. Gardiepy, 35. An investigation is ongoing into other possible related violations.

My Spider-Sense tells me this Lakner fellow might have one or two other black marks on his record. Call it a hunch.

The Ely Echo suggests looking them up now and again for updates and a follow-up story.

The Lake County, MN website has an out-of-date press release regarding Lakner and Olson... perhaps they might step up to the plate with new information in the next week.