INDIANA

     Militias have become active across the state in such
counties as St. Joseph's, Allen, Johnson, Marion, Ripley,
Warrick and Dearborn. Many of the groups in these counties
are also part of the larger Indiana Citizens Volumeer
Militia, a state-wide umbrella organization that coordinates
militia activities.

     Influential militia propagandist Linda Thompson, of
Indianapolis, operates a computer bulletin board for militia
groups across the country. She has announced to prospective
new members that her bulletin board was for "doers, not
whiners or talkers." She explained that potential members
had to be willing to provide the movement with substantial
assistance, such as a training site, ammunition, skills
training, food, medical care, or money.

     Like many others in the militia movement, Thompson
blamed the government for the Ololahoma City bombing. "I
genuinely believe the government did this bombing," Thompson
told The Boston Globe. "I mean who's got a track record of
killing children?"

     On May 12, 1995, Thompson was arrested by Marion County
police and charged with resisting arrest and disorderly
conduct; the case is pending. According to officials,
Thompson carried a concealed weapon into the county
prosecutor's office and refused to show her permit for the
gun.

     Elsewhere in Indiana, the Boonville-based North
American Volunteer Militia, directed by Joe Holland, enjoys
a considerable following. Holland, who describes himself as
a patriotic "freedom fighter," reportedly is under
investigation by federal authorities for bank fraud,
bankruptcy fraud, securities fraud and tax evasion.

     The North American Volunteer Militia is active outside
Indiana, particularly in Montana. In April 1995, Holland
urged followers to travel to Ravalli County, Montana, to
show their support for militia members there who had engaged
in an armed confrontation with police (see Montana). Ravalli
County law enforcement officials expressed concern that
Holland was attempting to provoke a violent encounter. He
surrendered to Indiana authorities after being charged in
Montana with criminal syndicalism.

     In Elberfield, a militia group called the Tri-County
Carbineers, led by truck driver Jimmy Funkhouser, has been
organized. To qualify for membership, candidates are
required to own an assault rifle and 100 rounds of
ammunition.

     James Heath. a member of the Indianapolis Police
Department, heads the Johnson County Militia. Iocated just
south of Indianapolis. Like others in the movement, members
of the organization meet to express their deep distrust of
federal lawmakers and share their fears of an impending "one-
world government."

     In early May 1995, speaking before a Greenwood-based
group called the Sovereign Patriots, Heath derisively
referred to Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith as
"Goldstein." Noting that the mayor's home address is
unlisted, Heath also asserted that Goldsmith had something
to hide. In a subsequent apology, Heath employed an anti-
Semitic stereotype to argue that his slur was really a
compliment. Several days later, Indianapolis Police
Department officials disciplined Heath for his remarks by
demoting him from sergeant to patrolman.


~      
ADL Fact Finding Report, "Beyond the Bombing: The Militia
Menace Grows," Anti-Defamation League, 1995.

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