http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NH_TAX_EVADERS_SUPPORTER_NHOL-?SITE=NHMAL&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULTSep 17, 6:34 PM EDT
Prosecutors: Browns' supporter left evidence trail on Internet
By BEVERLEY WANG
Associated Press Writer
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- A Vermont man charged with helping convicted tax evaders Ed and Elaine Brown evade authorities left a trail of evidence all over the Internet showing his allegiance, authorities said Monday.
Robert Wolffe showed his devotion to the Browns and his wish for an armed showdown with authorities via blogs and e-mail, even e-mailing a manual on how to kill government officials to his wife at work - an employee in the Vermont division of the Federal Highway Administration - a federal prosecutor alleged.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold Huftalen also read from a blog with a supply list and instructions for sending packages to the Browns in care of Wolffe, an Army veteran. The list, giving Wolffe's name and address, sought items ranging from cardboard to night vision goggles and camouflage clothing, but the "number one most important thing" is "people to come and make a stand to their death if necessary."
The Browns insist there is no law requiring payment of federal taxes. Ed Brown has said he will resort to an armed confrontation if authorities try to take him and his wife by force.
Regardless of their views on taxes, "the supporters of the Browns ... have been energized by the desire to force the government into an armed confrontation," Huftalen said Monday as he argued for Wolffe to be jailed until a November trial.
Defense lawyer Paul Garrity at first disputed Huftalen's characterization of Wolffe as a dangerous flight risk with a potential for violence. He said federal authorities had mischaracterized earlier statements by Wolffe and asked that Wolffe be released under supervision to return to his job as a technician for a propane company.
Garrity said Wolffe wanted a peaceful end to the Browns' self-imposed siege. "(Wolffe's) not one who's going to outwardly lash out at anyone," he said.
But Garrity did not get far. Wolffe decided midway through the hearing that he would not contest authorities' wish to keep him in custody. The decision was announced just as the hearing was reconvening to play video of an interview between Wolffe and a deputy U.S. Marshal, and an Internet radio interview with his wife, Valeri Wolffe.
Valeri Wolffe appeared shocked by her husband's decision, exclaiming "What!" as the judge made the announcement.
She refused to speak to reporters at the hearing.
Robert Wolffe is one of four men arrested last week and charged with providing supplies and other help to the Browns, who each face prison sentences of more than five years following their conviction on federal tax evasion charges in January. His Web site, bobwolffe.com, was disabled Monday. He is being held at the Strafford County jail.
Huftalen said Valeri Wolffe told authorities that she and her husband had visited the Browns more than a dozen times together and shot guns with Ed Brown. Marshals had observed Wolffe's car on the Browns' property and observed Wolffe on armed security patrol there, Huftalen said.
Huftalen said authorities visited Valeri Wolffe at home on the day of her husband's arrest and saw a loaded AK-47 on a couch and a loaded Ruger rifle propped near a doorway. Hours later when they returned with a search warrant, they didn't see any guns. Deputies searched Valeri Wolffe's car, and found three rifles and four handguns hidden in the rear of the car, four full boxes of ammunition and two suitcases packed with the couple's clothes, Huftalen said.
"The defendant was intending to flee, most likely to the Browns' residence" Huftalen said.
Garrity said all of the guns were legally owned.
