Militia Leader Accused Of Threats, To Surrender

Embattled militia leader Joe Holland will surrender to Montana officials to face charges he threatened government officials, a prosecutor said.

Holland, 53, of Boonville is expected to be arraigned on charges of criminal syndicalism in Hamilton, Mont., on June 27, said Deputy Warrick County Prosecutor David Kelley.

Because Holland has agreed to turn himself in, Warrick Superior Court Judge Robert Aylsworth postponed an extradition hearing until July 14, at which time the proceeding will be dropped unless Holland fails to appear in Montana.

Holland is charged with criminal syndicalism, or advocating violence or criminal acts for political purposes, according to Sue O’Connell, a spokeswoman for the Montana attorney general’s office.

Montana officials allege Holland used news releases, letters and other means to encourage people to commit violence against Montana government officials.

Court documents allege Holland and others plotted to hold their own court and try a district judge, sheriff, county attorney and deputy county attorney for treason and to shoot or hang them if found guilty.

If Holland is convicted, he could receive up to 10 years in prison, O’Connell said.

As he left the hearing room Friday, Holland said he was persecuted because he was “telling the truth” in his criticism of President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno. He said the White House was after him because he was leader of a group called the North American Freedom Council.

“If they find my bullet-ridden body lying on the banks of the Ohio River and there’s 27 bullet holes in it, and the sheriff of Warrick County calls it a suicide, don’t you believe it,” Holland told reporters.