Tillie Fong
Gun activist accused of threatening judge
Tue Oct 21 22:26:26 2003
64.140.158.27

Gun activist accused of threatening judge
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_2363922,00.html

By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News

October 21, 2003

A Denver gun advocate has been arrested on charges that he threatened a Thornton judge who sentenced him to jail on a dangerous weapon conviction.

Rick Stanley, 49, was being held without bond Monday at Adams County Jail on a police hold from Thornton. He faces two felony counts of attempting to influence a public official.

A Denver SWAT unit - along with officers from Denver police, the FBI, the Adams County Sheriff's Office and Thornton police - were involved in arresting Stanley at his home Saturday.

"He was armed at the time of the arrest," said Teresa Garcia, spokeswoman for Denver police. "He was arrested after a short chase. He did try to elude the officers."

Stanley's wife, Pam Stanley, did not return a call Monday, but she asked Michael Cacioppo to comment on her behalf. Cacioppo is the publisher of the Edwards-based online political newspaper Speakout!

"I find it to be outrageous," Cacioppo said of Stanley's arrest.

Last year, Stanley ran as a Libertarian Party candidate for the U.S. Senate. His main platform was support for the right to bear arms.

He was arrested at least twice on weapons charges during his campaign and had his weapons confiscated.

The Libertarian Party censured Stanley, saying he had violated party principles in several ways.

Stanley vowed to resign from the Libertarian Party after the election to start another party.

Saturday's arrest stemmed from a Thornton case.

On Sept. 2, 2002, he was arrested and charged with violating Thornton's dangerous weapons ordinance.

"He was carrying a loaded .357 revolver openly on his hip at our Harvestfest, which is held at the Thornton Community Park," said Matt Barnes, spokesman for Thornton police.

Stanley was found guilty of the charge at trial by Thornton Judge Charles Rose, fined $520 and sentenced to 90 days, according to Barnes.

Stanley appealed the decision to the Adams County District Court, which denied it, and he was scheduled for a sentencing review hearing before Rose on Wednesday.

Adams County District Attorney Bob Grant said Stanley didn't show up at the hearing.

Instead, he had a a veiled threat delivered to the judge.

"Essentially, he said, 'You, judge, reverse yourself or there will be a warrant issued against you,' " said Grant of the note.

According to the arrest affidavit, the note demanded that Stanley's conviction be overturned, and that a $1,500 bond and Stanley's gun be returned to him.

If the demands were not met, Stanley said Rose was to be charged with treason for not upholding the state constitution and that a warrant from the Mutual Defense Pact Militia would be issued against Rose.

The arrest affidavit also cites postings on Stanley's Web site that seem to indicate that members of the militia would be armed and that Stanley's note to the judge was a threat.
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Governor Bill Owens has been asked by Speakout! and numerous citizens to grant Stanley a pardon. The Governor has yet to respond.

03/10/18 – Special internet edition – Cops ram Rick Stanley’s car with innocent people in it and arrest him

By Michael Cacioppo
DENVER – Approximately 30 Denver police and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Second Amendment activist Rick Stanley, the former U. S. Senate Libertarian candidate from Colorado, after ramming his vehicle, with three other innocent people in it, on Saturday afternoon, October 18th, in Denver, according to Pam Stanley, his wife. Stanley, who was wrongly convicted in cities of Denver and Thornton, Colorado, for openly wearing a handgun on his side, was arrested while arriving at his home after a high-speed police chase. He was taken into custody and transported to Denver County Jail. Pam Stanley told Speakout! that he . . . [Click for Full story]
By Michael Cacioppo
DENVER – Approximately 30 Denver police and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Second Amendment activist Rick Stanley, the former U. S. Senate Libertarian candidate from Colorado, after ramming his vehicle, with three other innocent people in it, on Saturday afternoon, October 18th, in Denver, according to Pam Stanley, his wife. Stanley, who was wrongly convicted in cities of Denver and Thornton, Colorado, for openly wearing a handgun on his side, was arrested while arriving at his home after a high-speed police chase. He was taken into custody and transported to Denver County Jail. Pam Stanley told Speakout! that he . . . [Click for Full story]
http://www.speakoutvail.com/front1.shtml

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(970) 926-8882
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Publisher:Michael Cacioppo cacioppo@speakoutvail.com