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 Oklahoma 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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