Civil War reenactor accused of posing as 'antifa' in plot to bomb historic Virginia battlefield

[riversedge]

Civil War reenactor accused of posing as ‘antifa’ in plot to bomb historic Virginia battlefield


https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/civil-war-reenactor-accused-of-posing-as-antifa-in-plot-to-bomb-historic-virginia-battlefield/?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow

by: Jakob Cordes

Posted: Oct 7, 2022 / 07:00 AM EDT



Defendant also charged with threats to local newspapers


HARRISONBURG, Va. (WRIC) — On Sept. 23, 2017, the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation received a letter in the mail.

Printed on the outside of the envelope and at the top of the letter was a symbol typically associated with antifa.
A logo frequently associated with “antifa,” much like the one printed at the top of the threat letter.

But although the letter writer took pains to convince the battlefield foundation that they were being targeted by violent leftists, federal authorities now say they believe the true perpetrator was a disgruntled reenactor.
FBI join search for ‘Dapper Dan Bandit’ in Chesterfield County

When the typewritten letter first arrived in September 2017, organizers of an annual reenactment of the battle of Cedar Creek took it seriously — after all, it was just over a month since a far-right rally in Charlottesville turned violent, leaving a woman dead.
Text of the letter sent to the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation (CCBF), according to a federal indictment.

The organizers increased security but decided to go on with the reenactment despite the threat of violence....................................................

Link to tweet

?s=20&t=IHIXzzE88e_jDJafc5PsnA

[bucolic_frolic]

1. The Right thinks Antifa is an organized entity with logo and agenda and operational plans? ROFLMAO

and have some more

[Merlot]

2. They had me at "Antifa logo"

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. Guaranteed that "journalist" Andy Ngo will ignore this story.

[marble falls]

5. But I heard he did have the secret whistle and decoder ring. Now what?

[Sneederbunk]

4. MAGA's greatest regret: Antifa's failure to show up on January 6.

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. They blamed Antifa anyway. Most of them still believe it too.

[marble falls]

7. Wasn't my fault, my alarm didn't go off and I didn't have any clean black clothes, I ended ...

... up here after I googled Giuliani's location, and only Rudy Giuliani was standing there looking confused and broke.

[asiliveandbreathe]

8. Almost 5 years to the day..63, disgruntled ..knows better..

Sixty-three-year-old Gerald Leonard Drake, a former Civil War re-enactor, is charged in a 15-count federal indictment with malicious use of explosives, unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device, possession of an unregistered destructive device, using an explosive to commit a federal felony, stalking, mailing threatening communications and using the mail to threaten injury by means of an explosive.

On the afternoon of Oct. 14, 2017, as the re-enactment was coming to an end, an unexploded pipe bomb was found in one of the merchant tents. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the bomb contained metal nuts, a mercury switch, a battery, ball bearings, black and red wires, powder and other items.

https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/winchester-man-arrested-for-planting-pipe-bomb-at-cedar-creek-battlefield/article

Article from Oct. 6th 2022..more at link..

I have taken notice of this story, only becz I was involved in one of the re-enactments..long story..long ago..

[czarjak]

10. I know a Nazi with an explosive military background. Just saying.

[asiliveandbreathe]

11. I know a man who rode a horse from Framingham Mass. to LA Calif..

10 months, eight days..1 man, 1 horse..just sayin'..like I said..long story, long ago..and NO ONE has been able to finish the ride..not that they haven't tried..just sayin'

What's with the nazi fixation anyway..uncalled for..

[Marcuse]

9. Civil War provocateur and reenactor.... (I corrected it.)

Civil War reenactor accused of posing as ‘antifa’ in plot to bomb historic Virginia battlefield