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Paslode
10-04-2009, 18:21
My Junk Mail has been bombarded about a story in Hardin, Montana and a private security firm APF which is going to run a prison....all based on Mr. Jones spin.

So I decided to dig a little bit.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1894373,00.html

Sunday, May. 03, 2009
The Montana Town That Wanted to Be Gitmo
By Pat Dawson / Hardin

The coils of razor wire glint in the prairie sun like silver tumbleweeds piled against the tall chain-link perimeter fences of the forlorn Two Rivers Detention Facility in Hardin, Montana. Two years ago, the town (pop. 3,600) celebrated the completion of the state-of-the-art private jail capable of holding 464 inmates. Convinced that it would provide steady employment for over 100 locals, as well as accompanying economic benefits, the residents financed it through the sale of revenue bonds and turned it over to a for-profit prison-management corporation. On a 40-acre field at the edge of town where pronghorn antelope once grazed, they built it. But nobody came.

Hardin tried to recover. It sued the state for supposed mixed messages of encouragement — even though Montana prohibits the incarceration of prisoners convicted out of state. But though Hardin won the case, Two Rivers stayed empty and the $27 million of bonds went into default a year ago.(See one man's struggle to adjust to life outside of prison.)

And then, a new source of hope appeared. A campaign pledge from President Barack Obama to close the U.S. facility holding suspected terrorists at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, became an executive order. Quickly, the jail's backers made a new pitch. Why not house those 240 detainees at Two Rivers? Hardin's City Council last week passed a resolution to entice the detainees their way, saying they could provide "a safe and secure environment, pending trial and/or deportation." Hardin naturally assumed their federal politicians would lobby their cause. (See behind-the- scenes pictures of President Obama's first 100 days in office.)

Well, once again, Hardin's heart was broken. Reaction from Montana's three-man Congressional delegation was swift and unanimous, but hardly supportive. "I understand the need to create jobs, but we're not going to bring al-Qaeda to Big Sky Country — no way, not on my watch," said Sen. Max Baucus, a Democrat. (See pictures from inside the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.)

Many local taxpayers are livid at Hardin officials. "It's been a complete fiasco since the beginning, and I don't see how they built it without any solid contracts," says Mike Carpata, a forester with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as he shopped for reloading supplies at Lammer's Trading Post, where locals and members of the Crow Tribe come to buy guns and ammo, beading supplies, or to sell for quick cash their saddles, buffalo robes and beaded-buckskin ceremonial costumes. But others remain supportive of the jail project — and the enterprise of the town's administrators. The store's fourth-generation owner, George Lammers, noting the drastic difference between subtropical, humid Gitmo and dry, wintry Hardin, says, "This place would be torture for some of those boys." But, he allows, "I think it would be great for all the law enforcement people to be here. It would help our housing market. Our city fathers wanted the economic benefits, but I guess they didn't foresee the political controversies."

For months, correction officers Glyn and Rae Perkins, husband and wife, were the only employees at the 96,000 sq. ft. Two Rivers facility. They were laid off on Jan. 23. "Those of us who were involved had such high hopes," she says. "The state blocked us at every stage. It could've been such a good thing. I sit here now, watching businesses close and people wondering if they'll lose their houses. It's sad. But the idea of housing Gitmo prisoners here just floors me. It would be scary."

It is easy to understand the economic appeal of the project, as the county's unemployment rate hovers around 10% and Hardin's central business district has seen much better days. On a Saturday morning, two 30ish sisters who had been up all night partying, wobbled along the sidewalk then slouched in the sun against one of many vacant storefronts lining Center Avenue. They said they needed a ride out of town and were afraid they might be picked up by the police and jailed, but then laughed with some relief when reminded that the closest lock-up, the Big Horn County Jail, was now so overcrowded that it was turning away misdemeanor offenders.

Paslode
10-04-2009, 18:28
And a Ron Paul laced bit from the Topeka Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/x-14766-Charleston-Ron-Paul-Examiner~y2009m9d30-Hardin-Montana-tip-of-the-iceberg

Desperate times call for desperate measures. This is most likely the culprit in the situation now unfolding in Hardin, Montana. All across America, small towns are struggling to survive. Many rural areas have discovered the correctional industry as an easy fix for hard economic times. However, a look behind the scenes reveals that this small country town may have got more than it bargained for.


Private security firms like Wackenhut have been around for years and although they may have raised an eyebrow, no one thought too much of a private company overseeing the containment of prison inmates. After all, it provided jobs and nobody seems to be getting hurt.


Suspicion was aroused in Hardin when a number of Mercedes were spotted with an unfamiliar decal and the words "Hardin Police" prominently displayed. This along with the fact that the new correctional facility was abuzz with fresh activity prompted some questions. Problems began to arise when questions were asked and answers were not provided.

The facility had been under controversy since it had been built as a detention facility but did not meet the requirements for a correctional facility. Once the building was completed, Hardin officials were unable to secure a contract for the facility. Enter APF. Details remain sketchy about "American Police Force"; however, in an article in the Helenair newspaper, a source from APF revealed that his boss was retired U.S. Army colonel Richard Culver. Thanks to some investigative snooping by Ron Paul supporters from the DailyPaul.com, particularly "Liberty_Belle", on the connection between the American Police Force and Richard Culver, he is an executive with the security firm International SOS out of Trevose, PA. Culver is profiled in Portfolio.com's "Job of the Week" spotlight which states that in this particular job one could expect to earn between $100,000 to $350,000 annually. Not only does ISOS provide security services it touts itself as the world's largest "medical and security assistance company". In fact, it is keeping tabs on the swine flu pandemic and has its own "pandemic preparedness" page. Two items of note on this page under the topic "International SOS Capability" are "Medical Evacuation" and "RMR Capability".

Whether or not APF's duties were to extend beyond the detention facility is unclear. It is also unclear as to the relationship between APF and International SOS, other than sharing a security director. However, one disturbing fact regarding International SOS is that it is listed as a member of the International Peace Operations Association, which at one time provided an umbrella for Blackwater, and currently resides over Dyncorp as well as numerous other security and medical agencies. The IPOA's Wikipedia page defines the group as "created to support the burgeoning private military industry." For one, I am uncomfortable with the "burgeoning" of this particular industry, but maybe I have watched too many superhero movies lately.

What is disturbing in all of this is the growing trend which the government displays in "outsourcing" the fundamental responsibilities it has under the Constitution; namely, "to promote the general welfare, and to provide for the common defense". In a recent report, Moshe Schwartz, Specialist in Defense Acquisition, reported that the U.S. Department of Defense had 200,000 contractors and 194,000 military troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He further states that,

DOD officials have stated that the military’s experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, coupled with Congressional attention and legislation, has focused DOD’s attention on the importance of contractors to operational success.

In other words, Congress is well aware that contractors now outnumber U.S. militiary forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The use of civilian personnel during war raises numerous concerns. Not only the obvious concerns regarding logistics, discipline, safety and protocol, but concerns regarding the reporting of
casualties and overall progress of the campaign. The reported torture of Iraqi prisoners, for example, takes on a completely different focus with the introduction of mercenary groups.

Overseas activities are not the only areas of concern regarding these para-military organizations. During Katrina, Blackwater troops were used extensively and were placed in positions of having to disarm American citizens. What are the ramifications of a private, civilian army violating the first and second amendment rights of American citizens for the purpose of financial gain? Numerous officers during the recent protests at the G 20 summit in Pittsburgh were unable to be identified by insignia. Undoubtedly, they were contracted by a private agency such as International SOS.

Ron Paul has stated that government does provide a function which is defined by the Constitution. It is for this purpose that we collectively authorize the government. We do not give authorization with the understanding that these essential functions will be "outsourced", whether by a Democrat or Republican administration.


I am thinking that for 100k to 350k per year per man....I am betting the State could do it cheaper.

Incarcerated might you be willing to make move to Big Sky country for higher wages and lower living costs?

CSB
10-04-2009, 20:54
During Katrina, Blackwater troops were used extensively and were placed in positions of having to disarm American citizens.

Any citations to an authoritative source for this comment?

incarcerated
10-04-2009, 21:04
Incarcerated might you be willing to make move to Big Sky country for higher wages and lower living costs?

Yes, (Montana sounds great!), but only if Brush Okie will come along.
Only problem is that he's deploying to Afghanistan.
Private correctional facilities can be an iffy proposition.

Does Montana have a bounty on marijuana growers?

We could build a gun club.....!

LongWire
10-04-2009, 21:17
I would dig a little more............

Big Reason to believe that there is some very shady stuff going on in Hardin.

Would specifically look at the symbol that was used on said Mercedes Suv's.........

Very Serbian indeed..............

Or so I've heard................

http://cryptogon.com/?p=10995

LongWire
10-04-2009, 21:27
http://www.americanpolicegroup.com/


Not sure I like the look of their web page................

incarcerated
10-04-2009, 21:58
Not sure I like the look of their web page................

It's a very small picture, taken from their Careers page
http://www.americanpolicegroup.com/careers_american_police_force.html
but check the guy's T-shirt. And weapon.

The caption:
"Police Officers are responsible for protecting and serving the public and are entrusted with substantial authority to carry out these responsibilities. Our clients have the right to expect that such authority is only given to individuals who have demonstrated consistent personality traits. Past behavior will be closely scrutinized and only candidates with the highest probability of success will be appointed as APPF Officers."

SF0
10-04-2009, 22:05
"Policja" on the ninja commandos in the "Police Officer and Security Training" link.

http://www.americanpolicegroup.com/police.html

NoRoadtrippin
10-04-2009, 22:26
Anyone notice the "Special Forces" training they offer? Link is on the main page.

I'm sure all the QP's will be headed out there ASAP. :munchin

Website is a bit creepy all around...

Paslode
10-05-2009, 01:40
Any citations to an authoritative source for this comment?

I know Alex 'New World Order' Jones is a source :rolleyes:, but further review also notes:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/22/opinion/main878822_page2.shtml

But that only mentions the 'Security Firms' were armed and operating on US Soil.

Stingray
10-05-2009, 03:57
Yes they are. I worked for a private security company after hurricane Ike. Many of the guys I worked with had been part of the Katrina response working for a few different firms. Several talked about being involved in incidents that shots were fired and casualties. All of which happened in New Orleans. I can't verify the truth of these stories just passing on what was told to me. I worked in Houston, a couple of surrounding cities and Galveston. I was not involved in any use of force situations. We did get briefed on some threats directed at FEMA employees. Nothing transpired.

nmap
10-05-2009, 18:09
Pathetic. Simply pathetic.

LINK (http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_f98066fe-b1e8-11de-8042-001cc4c002e0.html)

APF official seeking to run Hardin jail ordered to appear in California court

A California judge has ordered American Police Force figure Michael Hilton - a felon with a history of fraud seeking to operate an empty Montana jail - to appear in court on Oct. 27 over an outstanding judgment in a fraud lawsuit.

The Oct. 2 order follows a proposal by American Police Force, Hilton's newly minted California company, to take over and run a 464-bed jail in Hardin.

The judgment in the case is among several against Hilton totaling more than $1.1 million. In that case, Hilton lured investors to sink money into an assisted living complex in Southern California that was never built.

Hilton also spent several years in state prison in California in the 1990s.

Hardin built its jail in 2007 as an economic development project, but has been unable to fill it.

Team Sergeant
10-05-2009, 18:35
Pathetic. Simply pathetic.

LINK (http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_f98066fe-b1e8-11de-8042-001cc4c002e0.html)

APF official seeking to run Hardin jail ordered to appear in California court

A California judge has ordered American Police Force figure Michael Hilton - a felon with a history of fraud seeking to operate an empty Montana jail - to appear in court on Oct. 27 over an outstanding judgment in a fraud lawsuit.

The Oct. 2 order follows a proposal by American Police Force, Hilton's newly minted California company, to take over and run a 464-bed jail in Hardin.

The judgment in the case is among several against Hilton totaling more than $1.1 million. In that case, Hilton lured investors to sink money into an assisted living complex in Southern California that was never built.

Hilton also spent several years in state prison in California in the 1990s.

Hardin built its jail in 2007 as an economic development project, but has been unable to fill it.

Entire town scammed by Califorina felon acts as police chief. I like it!

Look on the bright side, someones going to make a very funny movie out of this one......;)

incarcerated
10-05-2009, 22:07
From nmap's link, photo caption:
"In this Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 picture, Michael Hilton stands outside the city offices after meeting with Hardin, Mont. officials. Hilton pitched himself to the city as a military veteran turned private sector entrepreneur - a California defense contractor with extensive government contracts who promised to turn the rural city's empty jail into a cash cow. But now a much different picture of Hilton is emerging from public documents and interviews with his associates and legal adversaries. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)"

Paslode
10-06-2009, 06:25
This is a bizarre story.

Richard
10-06-2009, 06:43
Scary stuff, but there is an explosion of global foreign security firms filled with these type guys sprouting like effin' mushrooms out there and looking for $$$ with whomever - you sould see all the international security firms being advertised in Nigeria. :eek: :mad:

Richard

Paslode
10-06-2009, 07:08
Scary stuff, but there is an explosion of global foreign security firms filled with these type guys sprouting like effin' mushrooms out there and looking for $$$ with whomever - you sould see all the international security firms being advertised in Nigeria. :eek: :mad:

Richard


That is scary!

Utah Bob
10-06-2009, 08:11
Scary stuff, but there is an explosion of global foreign security firms filled with these type guys sprouting like effin' mushrooms out there and looking for $$$ with whomever - you sould see all the international security firms being advertised in Nigeria. :eek: :mad:

Richard

I'll sent a Sitrep on Nigeria as soon as I get back. I have to go pick up "several millions of dollars" I just won in a lottery over there. :rolleyes:

Defend
10-06-2009, 08:26
From the registration details:



Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: AMERICANPOLICEGROUP.COM
Created on: 15-May-09
Expires on: 15-May-10
Last Updated on: 29-Sep-09




Registry Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Registry Status: clientRenewProhibited
Registry Status: clientTransferProhibited
Registry Status: clientUpdateProhibited


Source here (http://who.godaddy.com/WhoIsStd.aspx?k=C5puN1gFW77r2QPZ7as/MnsjOT6+sh7a%22&domain=americanpolicegroup.com&prog_id=godaddy)

For comparison, on the blackwaterusa.com domain registration the only prohibition is "clientTransferProhibited", and they are on a 10 year registration. Is somebody not planning to stick around for long?

-out

CSB
10-06-2009, 13:38
Entire town scammed by Califorina felon acts as police chief. I like it!

Look on the bright side, someones going to make a very funny movie out of this one......


You couldn't make this stuff up.

I don't remember the source of the quote, but there is a quote that goes: "Truth can always be stranger than fiction, fiction has to be believable."

I expect the "Captain" to move on, perhaps to sell 76 trombones to a small town for a marching band ...

6.8SPC_DUMP
10-06-2009, 16:55
For comparison, on the blackwaterusa.com domain registration the only prohibition is "clientTransferProhibited", and they are on a 10 year registration. Is somebody not planning to stick around for long?

Maybe Xe (Blackwater) is living up to it's name: Xenon. Origin of name is Greek - translates to stranger - and it's a noble undetectable gas that's used industrially to make bright flashes. :D:eek:

Could make sense that they are the undisclosed parent company of American Police Force.

Any citations to an authoritative source for this comment?

I knew that wealthy individuals hired Blackwater to guard their homes after Katrina - but I didn't know that they were deputized by the state Governor and contracted by the DoD to deal with "civil unrest" as well.
Link (http://www.thenation.com/doc/20051010/scahill)


Wonder where a large reduction of LE funding will lead if it occurs in the USofA?:confused::munchin

Mont. jail contract worth $2.6M a year (http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_13368796)
By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press Writer

BILLINGS, Mont.—An obscure California security company was planning a jobs fair next week as it prepared to pay $2.6 million annually to take over a rural Montana jail that the company plans to expand into a military and police training center.

Some of those activities could involve training military and police from overseas—including Afghanistan—to run detention centers and provide security in their home countries, said company representatives and an official in Hardin, the city that built the $27 million jail.

Skepticism lingered because of a refusal by the company, Santa Ana, Calif.-based American Police Force, to say where it would get $30 million it says it will invest in the project.

It's also unclear where the prisoners and trainees would come from. Federal and state officials have said they were unaware of any government agencies planning to use the jail or training center.

American Police Force said it intends to have prisoners in Hardin's Two River Detention Center by early next year. An attorney for the company, Maziar Mafi, said Friday that a jobs fair for the jail is planned next week.

Final details still were being worked out, Mafi said.

The jail has sat empty for two years after being built to boost the economy of Hardin, a depressed city of about 3,500 in remote southeastern Montana.

Seeking to answer criticism of the city's 10-year agreement with American Police Force, a Hardin official on Friday offered a few more details about the contract—even as he continued to refuse to release the document.

Albert Peterson, vice president of the city's Two Rivers Authority, which built the jail, said the deal calls for American Police Force to pay about $220,000 a month for the jail. The authority would get an additional $5 per prisoner per day and $10 per day for law enforcement and military trainees.

Peterson said he would not release the contract until a revised version is signed. He said that could happen next week.

"It may be a public document but I'm not releasing it before Monday unless I have a court order to do that," Peterson said.

He also said he would "come clean" on American Police Force's parent entity, which the company has so far refused to identify.

The jail's most vocal promoter, Greg Smith, executive director of the Two Rivers Authority, was placed on paid leave this week. City officials have refused to say why but insist it was unrelated to his work bringing American Police Force to Hardin.

Meanwhile, no contracts for prisoners or trainees are in place. And little is known about American Police Force except that it was formed in March and appears to be largely unknown within security industry circles.

Peterson said that under the terms of the agreement, the company was likely to lose money on the jail but expected to make it up with its training operations.

"The detention center is not the main thing here. It's really the training center," he said. "They'll be using those trainees as guards (at the jail) and everything else."

American Police Force claims extensive government security contracts but there is no public record that such agreements exist.

Company officials have said the entity is a spin-off of a large Washington, D.C.-based security firm with international operations.

American Police Force has been linked to other security companies, including Allied Defense Products and Defense Product Solutions. But their exact relationship remains unclear.

The California company said it applied to the Montana Secretary of State this week to incorporate the local subsidiary that would run the jail. Agency spokeswoman Terri Knapp said that had not happened as of late Friday, but added that the paperwork on the application still could be working its way through the system.

The $27 million in bonds used to build the jail went into default last year. Peterson said the 10-year contract would not fully repay that debt, but that the bonds would be covered if the California company exercises its option for an additional 10 years.