3 face terror charges after Chicago apt. raid

The Chicago police department mounted patrol watches while protesters march through the city during a demonstration Friday, May 18 2012, ahead of this weekend's NATO summit in Chicago. / AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

(CBS/AP) CHICAGO - Three men arrested earlier this week when police raided a Chicago apartment were being held on terrorism conspiracy charges Saturday stemming from allegations that they tried to make Molotov cocktails ahead of the NATO summit, but the first major dress rehearsal of this weekend's large-scale protests was relatively peaceful.

Chicago police Lt. Kenneth Stoppa said the men face a bond hearing later Saturday on charges of conspiracy to commit terrorism, possession of an explosive or incendiary device and providing material support. Stoppa identified the men being held as Brian Church, 20, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Jared Chase, 24, of Keene, N.H.; and Brent Vincent Betterly, 24, of Oakland Park, Mass.

CBS Station WBBM reports some protesters said there was nothing more incriminating than home brewing equipment in the Bridgeport apartment where they were staying.

Their attorney, Sarah Gelsomino of the National Lawyers Guild, told the wire the charges were "trumped up."

The men are "absolutely in shock and have no idea where these charges are coming from," Gelsomino told The Associated Press.

The three defendants were among nine protesters arrested in a controversial raid at the Bridgeport apartment, in which several people complained that police mistreated them and violated their civil rights.

Six others also arrested Wednesday in the raid of the South Side apartment where they were staying were released Friday without charges being filed.

One of those protesters, Occupy activist Darrin Annussek of Philadelphia, denied there were Molotov cocktails in the apartment or that raw materials had been compiled to make them.

"No way," Annussek said. "If I had seen anything that even resembled (a Molotov cocktail), I would have left."

He claims that during 18 hours in custody, police never told him why he was arrested, read him his rights or allowed him to make a phone call. He said he remained handcuffed to a bench, even after asking to use a restroom.

"There were guards walking by making statements into the door along the lines of `hippie,' `communist," `pinko,"' a tired-looking Annussek told reporters just after his release.

Stoppa declined to elaborate on the case beyond confirming the charges.

Security has been high throughout the city in preparation for the summit, where delegations from about 60 countries, including 50 heads of state, will discuss the war in Afghanistan and European missile defense.

Among the pre-NATO protests planned for Saturday was a march on the home of Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The big show will be on Sunday, the start of the two-day NATO summit, when thousands of protesters are expected to march 2 ? miles from a band shell on Lake Michigan to the McCormick Place convention center, where delegates will be meeting.

On Friday, Chicago police on bicycles and foot tailed activists through the streets of the city, but ignored taunts and went out of their way to make as few arrests as possible. Protesters made a lot of noise and tried to evade police, but otherwise were relatively uneventful.

In all, police said there was a single arrest on a charge of aggravated battery of a police officer. Another man was briefly taken into custody, but he was released a short time later after being questioned by police, a department spokesman said.

Also, officers were seen trying to arrest a man who scaled a bridge tower and pulled down part of a NATO banner. Earlier, police handcuffed a man at the end of a noisy but largely peaceful rally organized by the nation's largest nurses union.

From the police side of the protest line, it went largely how Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy envisioned it earlier this month when he said, "We're not going to lock somebody up for dropping a banana peel."

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[IAmSigmonde]

The OWS terrorists are a key voting bloc for Obama and the Democrats. Why would they plot to blow up Obama's HQ and Rahm Emanuels school for children. I hope Rahm takes precautions in case a second wave of OWS Democrats fulfill the mission. Why Obama endorses these terrorists is puzzling.

[TOPDOG11111]

JUST WAITING ON A FAIR FIGHT...This is an obvious setup and fabrication. The Chicago police are notorious liers. They have locked away thousands of innocent people. I would welcome a fair fight with them. Most are cowards hiding under the rock they call law. overbearing. These people have no respect for anyone or anything. After they provoke a real attack, they run away, claiming, "we don't get paid for this". Count me with the opposition. The police are welcome to come back to the training academy any day to give me a chance to teach them about respecting people. All legal with the boxing gloves on, or any way they want it. I will face them heads up. I object to a police state and will fight. Same goes for you too. Sooner or later its gonna be on. As for myself, I am moving to Mexico where the people have a proper respect for the police. I cant win this one here.

[ToolMangler1]

by TOPDOG11111 May 19, 2012 4:37 PM EDT
"As for myself, I am moving to Mexico where the people have a proper respect for the police. I cant win this one here."


You are a big mouthed, blowhard. If you had ever been through the 'Training academy' you would never have said a word.. (unless you flunked out and couldn't make it.) BTW: Good luck in Mexico, 50 decapitated bodies were just found this week, Gringo!!

[IAmSigmonde]

You've been punched in the head too many times. You should use ImAPunchingBag as a handle.

[pr_boxer]

Those Tea Party Republicans just can't fit in civilized society.

[FataleTrix]

Wow, so much hatred in these posts! For those that claim not to know what the Occupy movement is all about - there is plenty of information available, including the resolutions being worked on for the Continental Congress this July 4th in Philadelphia. Name calling and wishing ill on anyone just shows how low of a level you are. Seriously. And comparing NATO - or anyone - to an exterminator, when you are talking about PEOPLE being killed - just shows your lack of humanity.
Protesters protest because that is what this great country is about -it's our RIGHT to protest when we feel our government is out of control or not representing the will of the people. It is also the reason people can call other people names and disagree with our position. My guess is the Molotov Cocktail charges will be dropped. I think I remember something along the lines of "innocent until proven guilty". If those of you here don't believe in that or our right to protest - then YOU are the ones that are un-American, not us.

[audemus]

Hopefully this is not just a case of the CPD trying to give the impression that they're "on top" of the situation, at the expense of some peoples' freedom.

[RichZubaty]

Thanks for this report. We NEED to know what happens there.

The men are "absolutely in shock and have no idea where these charges are coming from,"...Looks like it's 1968 in Chicago again. Where was Rahm back then, in the Israeli Army? Hippies, commies, pinkos? That's as updated as their thinking goes? How about patriots, occupiers, revolutionaries, peace makers?

[Tracy5627]

More appropriately, low lives, losers, scum bags, and pu$$ies!!

[murkymook]

Thank you Mr. President for signing the NDAA and enforcing it at these protests. Please extend the Obama tax cuts for the wealthy another 8 years.

[credibility2]

Just another gathering of losers, whiners, moaners, malcontents and anarchists that have already disrupted the freedom of movement and others rights of the majority who come into the areas affected by the protesters...I'm glad the CPD arrested these guys that were suspected of and with evidence to be behind a plot to make molotov cocktails to be used by other protesters against the police and also as projectiles against buildings...the large presence of the police has to be strong and relevant...this is the only thing protesters will respect...while most protesters aren't prone to being unruly and violent, there is a pattern and history of these meetings attracting the wrong elements...unfortunately, and what isn't being reported, is that there was an altercation on Michigan Avenue where a protester was arrested for climbing a structure and tearing down a sign...a cop was also injured...I guess that doesn't matter...peace out kiddies...

[retm-w]

So nurses are considered losers, whiners, moaners, malcontent and anarchists. I hope you never need one.

[time2fightback]

You must be part of the problem, if you could sit there and say this BS, WE THE PEOPLE NEED TO BE HEARD!!! It seems that we need a little violance to be heard.... wake up people.

[qmpash]

These were "peaceful" Molotov Cocktails designed for protest only. The bottles were filled with organic smoothies.

[auzerais310]

These "peaceful" protesters would never think of making Molotov cocktails. Oh no. They will have 'organic smoothies' ie bags filled with a mixture of human feces and urine to be thrown at the police, like those used in NYC. And of course they must have lots of buckets ready to be filled with the same foul concoction for depositing on the sidewalk in front of ATMs, or splashing the contents down subway stairwells.

[marychgo]

The National Nurses United rally was mellow, loud, and large (3,000 per the MSM, perhaps as many as 5,000 per me). The police were relaxed, though there were far more of them than were needed.

The "terror" case seems to be a ridiculous snafu. A squad of police broke into a building without a warrant and arrested nine Occupiers from around the country. (Six have now been released, after being chained to benches at a police station for 18 hours.) There doesn't seem to be ANY evidence the three still under arrest had flammable liquids or rags to use as wicks for Molotov cocktails, but the apartment where they were staying DID have beer-brewing equipment....

Unless the Chicago police either produce clear evidence of criminal intent at today's hearing or apologize to the arrestees for their error, I suspect they'll have more locals to deal with on Sunday and Monday than they would have if they hadn't messed up....

[time2fightback]

How soon we forget WW2 this is how HIT13R STARTED, Obomonation is just like him. I hope that this is the begining of the end for those in real power.. LET TAKE THEM DOWN.