Militia Head Moved To Halfway House

The former head of the Washington state militia, who is accused of teaching people how to make pipe bombs, was moved from jail to a halfway house Wednesday after a federal appeals court ruled he could not be denied bail.

John Pitner, 45, was expected to remain at the halfway house for about a week while the federal court in Seattle determines whether he can stay at his sister’s home while awaiting trial.

Pitner, of Deming in Whatcom County, has been in federal custody since FBI agents arrested him and seven other people July 27. Another person was arrested separately.

He is scheduled to go on trial in January.

Federal authorities allege Pitner trained people in the construction of explosive devices in August 1995 and February 1996.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said federal prosecutors had failed to show that Pitner would be a danger to the community or a flight risk, and on Tuesday sent the case back to district court in Seattle. The Seattle court ordered Pitner released from jail.