November 22, 2009
UTNE READER

Drag 'Net

(Page 2 of 2)

July / August 2004
Craig Cox Utne magazine 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

The FBI reportedly knows the author of the Reclaim Guide information but has refused to prosecute him, claiming instead in court testimony that Austin wrote the material. Austin and his attorney eventually negotiated a plea bargain with the federal prosecutor that would limit his jail time to one month followed by five months of custody in a halfway house. But when District Court Judge Stephen V. Wilson was informed of the plea bargain at the June 30, 2003, court hearing, he said the case had 'national [and] international overtones' and rejected the plea as being too lenient.

RELATED CONTENT

He ordered the prosecutor to confer with the FBI and the Justice Department, which recommended a one-year prison sentence, a $2,000 fine, and three years of probation, during which Austin is not allowed to use a computer for any organizing work or associate with progressive organizations. With a possible 20-year sentence hanging over his head as a result of PATRIOT Act laws, Austin and his lawyer had no choice but to acquiesce. He's currently serving time at a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona.

Austin calls his experience a sign of what lies ahead for progressives in post-9/11 America. 'If it happened to me, it can definitely happen to you,' he said. 'But don't be scared, because that's what they want. Once they have you in a state of fear, they have you in control.'

For more information, contact jmi46@sbcglobal.net

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

We’d like to know what you think. To comment, please use this form. E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments. First time registrants: You will receive an email confirming your email address. Once you confirm, your comment will be posted. Questions about our comments policy? Click here.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Utne Reader?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Pay Now & Save $6!
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Want to gain a fresh perspective? Read stories that matter? Feel optimistic about the future? It's all here! Utne Reader offers provocative writing from diverse perspectives, insightful analysis of art and media, down-to-earth news and in-depth coverage of eye-opening issues that affect your life.

Save Even More Money By Paying NOW!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save an additional $6 and get 6 issues of Utne Reader for only $29.95 (USA only).

Or Bill Me Later and pay just $36 for 6 issues of Utne Reader!