Ex-Green Beret Gritz Now Idaho Resident

Former Green Beret Col. James “Bo” Gritz and his family have become residents of Idaho.

In a letter this week to the Lewiston Morning Tribune, Gritz announced that he has moved to Almost Heaven, his constitutionalist covenant community north of Kamiah. He moved from Sandy Valley, Nev.

In the letter, Gritz said he won’t allow extremist militia organizations. Twelve members of an anti-government group that called itself the “Viper Militia” in Arizona were arrested Monday and charged with plotting to blow up government buildings.

“We do have a fringe element on the outskirts of Almost Heaven that could turn into a ‘Viper-type’ gang,” he said. “I guarantee you that at the first real suspicion, or evidence that this is true, I will personally call the ATF-FBI-sheriff.”

Gritz, who hosts a weekday radio talk show, is a national figure in the “patriot” movement that says the federal government has become too big.

He helped persuade Randy Weaver to surrender to federal agents in 1992 at the 11-day standoff with federal agents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. Weaver’s wife and son and a U.S. marshal were shot to death.

Gritz attempted to negotiate a surrender of the Montana Freemen outside Jordan, Mont., this spring, but gave up in frustration after five days.

He said some of the anti-government extremists were not negotiating in good faith.