FBI Helping Police Involved in Standoff
With Campground Owner Facing Drug, Weapons Charges
http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?id=149495&article=8247
By James Prichard
Associated Press Writer
Sep 3, 2001 05:07 EDT
VANDALIA, Mich. (AP) - A standoff with the owner of a campground
known for its
advocacy of marijuana dragged into a fourth day, with police
enlisting the help
of a third-party negotiator and the FBI stepping in to relieve
officers.
The campground's supporters gathered near the site Sunday as police
worked to
end a standoff that has involved shots being fired at a news
helicopter and
police plane.
"The word is out about what's going on," said Shirley DeWeese,
whose brother,
Grover T. Crosslin, owns the southwest Michigan campground called
Rainbow Farm.
"If they do kill him, it's not going to be the end."
Neighbors said Crosslin 47, who faces drug and weapons charges, was
burning
buildings on Friday on his property, which is the target of civil
forfeiture
proceedings. Deputies went to the farm after hearing about the
fires.
Police did not know who fired the shots that whizzed by an unmarked
state
police plane Saturday and struck the tail of an Indiana television
station
news helicopter Friday. Both landed safely.
The FBI said Sunday night that federal agents would relieve
officers from
the Michigan State Police and Cass County Sheriff's Office who have
been at
the site. Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. said Crosslin
has made
no demands.
"It is the goal of all three agencies to resolve this matter
peacefully,"
said John Bell Jr., special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit
office.
Officers did not identify the third party assisting in the
negotiations.
Sheriff's Lt. Lyndon Parrish believed Crosslin was upset over a
$150,000 bond
revocation hearing he skipped Friday. The hearing was set because
authorities
believed he was violating terms of his release on charges of felony
firearm
possession and drug charges.
Dori Leo, who identified herself to the South Bend Tribune as
Crosslin's
attorney, said her client was upset because a child he helped raise
was
placed in foster care following the charges.
Crosslin and five others were arrested in May after a two-year
investigation
into allegations of marijuana use at the campground, just before it
was to
host a weekend event promoting marijuana legalization.
A statement on Rainbow Farm's Web site says it "supports the
medical,
spiritual and responsible recreational uses of marijuana for a more
sane
and compassionate America."
About a mile away from the campground, about a half-dozen people
displayed
placards in support of Crosslin and Rainbow Farm.
"We were hoping for a peaceful resolution and they're bringing in
choppers
and artillery," said DeWeese.
On the Net: Campground: http://www.rainbowfarmcampground.com
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGATJLA16RC.html
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