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FBI Investigation Timeline
prepared by Ron Cole (from jail, May 1997)
| January 1997: |
Special Agent Steve Dirito assigned to the FBI's
Domestic Terrorism Unit and begins to monitor militia newsgroups.
(examples quoted in government complaint) |
| January 30, 1997: |
SA Dirito has, by this date, begun a file on
"militia oriented" postings written by Ron Cole from off
of militia newsgroups. (examples quoted in government complaint) |
| March 1997: |
Cole begins posting NALA information on the Internet. |
| March 4, 1997: |
SA Dirito has added at least one other newsgroup post
to Cole's file. (quoted in government complaint) |
| March 12, 1997: |
SA Dirito, by this date, has included articles from
Cole's website into his file. (Specifically "The Roles We
Play" Partisan) |
| March 31, 1997: |
By this date, the FBI has begun surveillance on
Cole's. Terry's and Kennett's residence. |
| April 23, 1997: |
SA Dirito meets with Dan McNasby. |
| April 23, 1997: |
McNasby (informant) enters Cole's home with intent to
gather information for the FBI, then meets with Dirito later that
night. |
| April 28, 1997: |
FBI contacts ATF and receives from them information
pertaining to firearms alleged to be in Cole's, Terry's and
Kennett's possession, according to McNasby. |
| April 29, 1997: |
SA Bill Clifford calls Cole and establishes a meeting
for 2:00 PM on May 1. Subject: Finding a peaceful solution to the
Republic of Texas standoff. |
| May 1, 1997: |
Cole, Terry and Kennett are arrested by the FBI's
Domestic Terrorism Unit on Firearms charges. |
Return to Letter (May 19, 1997)
Return to Ron Cole Index
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