Bill Starks
State Researcher
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Man accused of assembling weapons cache ordered heldhttp://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/397254_arsenal24.html?source=rss
By PAUL SHUKOVSKY
P-I REPORTER
U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Alice Theiler on Friday ordered that a Spokane man who allegedly assembled a formidable arsenal of military weapons and stored it in a Bellevue commercial storage unit be held at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac pending trial.
In reaching her decision, Theiler determined that Ronald Struve -- whose alleged stash includes dozens of machine guns and C-4 plastic explosives -- is a potential danger to the community and could not be relied upon to show up for trial. The 65-year-old Struve, dressed in prison khakis and sporting a trimmed white beard and mustache, sat impassively as Theiler ruled.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Woods, in arguing for Struve's continued detention, noted that he had assembled an "arsenal of dozens of weapons."
"He stored these items with complete disregard for public safety," said Woods. "If there had been a fire, for example, the consequences could have been devastating."
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents charged Struve earlier in the week after his arrest in Spokane. A man discovered the cache of weapons after buying at an auction the contents of the storage unit at 12863 Northup Way. Rent on the unit had gone unpaid.
Woods also asserted Friday that federal agents found "anti-government material" among the grenades, silencers, flares and munitions and that Struve said that there may be a time at some point in the future when he'll need to use the weapons. He told Theiler that Struve should remain locked up pending trial.
But Struve's attorney, Jay Stansell of the Federal Public Defender's office, argued that his client has never been in trouble with the law and there's nothing illegal about Struve having a negative opinion of the government.
"We are allowed to have anti-government feelings," said Stansell. "It's just political opinions."
Prosecutors initially charged Struve with one count of unlawful storage of explosives and one count of possession of unregistered firearms. The firearms charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Because Struve was charged by complaint, the case likely will be referred to a grand jury, which could return other charges against him.
An ATF source said earlier in the week that there is no evidence that Struve assembled the arsenal for terrorism purposes, but declined to elaborate on what motivated him.
P-I reporter Paul Shukovsky can be reached at 206-448-8072 or paulshukovsky@seattlepi.com.
Man accused of assembling weapons cache ordered heldhttp://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/397254_arsenal24.html?source=rss
By PAUL SHUKOVSKY
P-I REPORTER
U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Alice Theiler on Friday ordered that a Spokane man who allegedly assembled a formidable arsenal of military weapons and stored it in a Bellevue commercial storage unit be held at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac pending trial.
In reaching her decision, Theiler determined that Ronald Struve -- whose alleged stash includes dozens of machine guns and C-4 plastic explosives -- is a potential danger to the community and could not be relied upon to show up for trial. The 65-year-old Struve, dressed in prison khakis and sporting a trimmed white beard and mustache, sat impassively as Theiler ruled.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Woods, in arguing for Struve's continued detention, noted that he had assembled an "arsenal of dozens of weapons."
"He stored these items with complete disregard for public safety," said Woods. "If there had been a fire, for example, the consequences could have been devastating."
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents charged Struve earlier in the week after his arrest in Spokane. A man discovered the cache of weapons after buying at an auction the contents of the storage unit at 12863 Northup Way. Rent on the unit had gone unpaid.
Woods also asserted Friday that federal agents found "anti-government material" among the grenades, silencers, flares and munitions and that Struve said that there may be a time at some point in the future when he'll need to use the weapons. He told Theiler that Struve should remain locked up pending trial.
But Struve's attorney, Jay Stansell of the Federal Public Defender's office, argued that his client has never been in trouble with the law and there's nothing illegal about Struve having a negative opinion of the government.
"We are allowed to have anti-government feelings," said Stansell. "It's just political opinions."
Prosecutors initially charged Struve with one count of unlawful storage of explosives and one count of possession of unregistered firearms. The firearms charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Because Struve was charged by complaint, the case likely will be referred to a grand jury, which could return other charges against him.
An ATF source said earlier in the week that there is no evidence that Struve assembled the arsenal for terrorism purposes, but declined to elaborate on what motivated him.
P-I reporter Paul Shukovsky can be reached at 206-448-8072 or paulshukovsky@seattlepi.com.