Ely Six Update

Thanks to a couple of kind visitors who have regularly commented on the subject (and often provided me with links), we now have the beginning of the end to last year’s story of the Ely Six jackasses. According to one commenter, Jay Olson may get sentenced in August, however, the so-called ring leader (or dork leader or alpha-moron) now pleads guilty, but to lesser charges.

Fifth man in BWCAW shooting spree pleads guilty
[....]

Lakner pleaded guilty to felony aiding and abetting terroristic threats; felony aiding and abetting harassment with a firearm; felony aiding and abetting possession of an assault rifle by a minor; misdemeanor aiding and abetting theft; and misdemeanor reckless discharge of a firearm.

Judge Kenneth Sandvik accepted the plea. State statutes call for a mandatory minimum sentence of at least three years in a state prison for the felony firearms charge, although exceptions can be made.

(Courtesy: Duluth News Tribune online)

His sentencing is set for August 11... and apart from that detail, that pretty much wraps up this case.

I hope they all straighten up. You've got to hope they straighten up. The kids probably shamed their families, and certainly worried them. What parent wouldn't be worried after hearing their kid used weapons to terrorize a bunch of Earth-muffins?

This makes me wonder if one or more of those guys don't have their fathers actively in their lives. Purely an assumption, one that would rankle any or all of the fathers. But these kids, for they are barely adults and seem to have displayed none of the judgment and maturity that usually goes with adulthood, were running around with (apparently) an unrelated man in his mid/late-thirties. Sure, I could be wrong, but that smacks of guys in search of a father figure.

And that adult male was unfortunately a guy who thought it would be a good idea to get drunk (on bad beer), boat around, shoot off guns, destroy someone else's property, threaten strangers, and generally terrorize campers.

Talk about the blind leading the blind. At least those kids can claim ignorance through youth.

BWCA Idiocy and Mayhem: Olson and MU Update

BWCAW shooter: ‘I may have ruined my life forever’
Update from Ely

Present:Another kid from the Ely Six pleads guilty… Jay Andrew Olson.

…one felony count of aiding and abetting terroristic threats; one felony count of aiding and abetting harassment with a firearm; two gross misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property; one misdemeanor count of possession of stolen property; and one misdemeanor count of reckless discharge of a firearm.

Young mister Olson appears to show remorse, which is good.

…calling it “by far’’ the worst day of his life and saying he behaved “terribly.’’ He said he drove a boat with two other suspects for several hours on Basswood Lake that night, with the group firing an AK-47 rifle and mortar-like fireworks and harassing campers while drinking beer.

Now, if the news story is correct in suggesting that Olson claimed it was the worst day of his life, he should have chosen a different set of words. More accurately, he contributed to what might be the worst day of his victim’s lives. I suspect, based on what we’ve now read, he knows that.

While he said he never intended to harm anyone, he said he did intend to annoy them and understands now why many campers said they feared for their lives.

“I scared a lot of people … and I may have ruined my life forever,’’ Olson said in the courtroom.

Hell, Jay, we can sympathize with that sentiment. A number of the Earth-Muffin crowd is extremely annoying and I love the idea of annoying them right back… but not with a gun. Especially in the dark. And most definitely not with some punk-assed, loud-mouthed, jumped-up, snot-nosed, 16 year old drunk on crappy beer who thinks he’s the Ron effing Jeremy of Ely.

This kid probably did ruin his life forever. Then again, considering the crowd he apparently associates with this colossal mistake might have just saved his life.

Future:Still to come… Barney Lakner, since his lawyer arranged for another delay.

…faces a jury trial as early as September. Lakner was scheduled for a court appearance Monday, but that was postponed at his attorney’s request, one of several of such delays. Judge Sandvik ordered Lakner to appear June 16 and said no additional delays would be allowed without his approval.

We also have a name to go with MU. (Happy Birthday, jackass.)

…Matthew Bernard Urbas of Ely, now 17, is awaiting trial in the case. Urbas, who was 16 at the time of the incident, is being handled in juvenile court but his case is open to the public because he is charged with felony crimes.

Urbas faces 23 felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor charges stemming from the incident. His trial and sentence will be handled as if he is an adult. In court documents obtained Monday, Urbas told law enforcement officers after his arrest that he had been drinking and that the group harassed the campers by firing weapons and swearing at them in an effort at “defending his territory’’ — meaning the BWCAW —against people who were “taking it away.’’

Defending the territory? From what? This is the kid, at least according to the statements made in the criminal complaint, who stated to a young woman that he was going to bury his c*ck in her for three hours. Apparently, Matthew Urbas wants to protect Ely from girls, cooties, and p*ssy… and he plans to protect Ely through prolonged sexual penetration.

That’s sarcasm, Urbas… but it sounds like the gal and her father considered that a threat of rape. Can you blame them? Besides, you wouldn’t know what to do with a Suzy if you got one in the mail.


Past:See the archives.

Three other suspects, who arrived on Basswood Lake later and joined the group after the incident had started, were sentenced last month after pleading guilty to lesser charges in exchange for agreeing to testify against others in the case.

See the Criminal Complaint.

Zachary Ross Barton, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of felony aiding and abetting terroristic threats and one misdemeanor count each of reckless discharge of a firearm and underage consumption of alcohol…

Casey James Fenske, 19, pleaded guilty to one felony count of aiding and abetting terroristic threats, a gross misdemeanor for criminal damage to property and a misdemeanor charge of reckless discharge of a firearm…

Travis John Erzar, 20, pleaded guilty to a felony count of aiding and abetting terroristic threats and a misdemeanor count of underage consumption of alcohol…

Don Pardo, tell them what they won:

All were banned from the BWCAW for three years.

[...]

…Barton will serve 20 days in a local jail and three years’ probation on the felony charge.

…Fenske will serve at least nine months at the Northeast Regional Corrections Center or a similar facility and will be on probation for three years. He also will pay restitution for damage he inflicted on a federal water level-gauging station on Basswood Lake in an earlier incident.

…Erzar will serve no jail time but will serve three years of probation on the felony charge. The felony will be reduced to a misdemeanor in Erzar’s court record if he serves the probation without problem.

Kids, I have some advice for you. Do you time, don't complain (not even to sympathetic ears in Ely), straighten out Matthew Urbas (because he's going to ruin his life if you don't), distance yourself from Lakner (besides from the reason that it is kind of creepy), keep your nose clean, get through college, do some charity work... all that.

Folks will remember this, but if you simply deal with it in a mature manner and you should be fine.

Like my father-in-law says, you boys just grew up. Not on August 7, 2007... you're forced to grow up now to take your lumps. It is the long-game strategy.

BWCA Idiocy and Mayhem: Barney Lakner Update (May)

A brief update on the Ely Six. Essentially, we have more waiting. Not much on the kid (MU in the criminal complaint... the Star-Tribune had it).

Take a moment to review the newspaper stories and the criminal complaint… specifically, the way the “kids” allegedly threatened to have sex with one of the camper’s daughters, which was seen as unwanted

Evidently, they wanted to bore her to death. (I bet this kid could "interfere" with an olive without disturbing the pimento.)

(Courtesy: Duluth News Tribune… and commenter "Observer")

County attorney wants two Basswood shooting suspects tried together

Barney James Lakner, 37, of Ely appeared in Lake County District Court Tuesday but made no formal plea and has been rescheduled to appear again June 2.

Lake County Attorney Russ Conrow signaled at today’s hearing that he wants to try Lakner and another man, Jay Andrew Olson, 19, also of Ely, together. It’s likely both trials will take 10 days each, considered a huge block of Lake County courtroom time, Conrow said, and each will require potentially dozens of the same witnesses to testify.

[...]

“It would be a huge expense to do this twice. There are a lot of witnesses. ... A lot of people [who were threatened] want to be part of this,’’ Conrow said after today’s brief court hearing.

Olson’s attorney, David Keegan of Duluth, likely will reply to the formal request to join the two trials at a May 12 hearing. Lakner’s attorney will formally respond on June 2. Olson has pleaded not guilty. Keegan was not immediately available to comment today.

A trial or trials probably would be held later this year.

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.

Prevent Crime: Give to Beggars (Update)

Link to the City of Richfield video... see the September 25th meeting.

Since I sent this story to the City Council, I've heard back from one of the council members. The city attorney says, as expected, that this is a matter of free speech on behalf of the man (who many not-so-veiled threats to burglarize and thieve). However, she plans to go over this case and get back to the City Council.

I hope to hear back about this, too. I might be going to another council meeting.

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.