Men Arrested in Bridge Bombing Plot Have Ties to Lakewood, Occupy Cleveland
One was involved in Occupy Cleveland protests last summer.
At least two of five men arrested in connection with an alleged plot to blow up a bridge in Brecksville have ties to Lakewood.
Brandon L. Baxter, 20, and Anthony Hayne, 35, — who were arrested along with Douglas L. Wright, 26 — have been known to live in Lakewood.
In all, FBI has arrested five people who are accused of conspiring to use explosives on a bridge in Brecksville in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
On Friday, Baxter celebrated his 20th birthday at the Root Café on Detroit Avenue. He was quiet.
He ordered cookies.
Julie Hutchison, the co-owner of the Root, said she knew Baxter from the Occupy Cleveland protests last summer.
She remembers him as a “punk-rock kid,” who “kept to himself.” She said he originally was from Lakewood, but had been living on the streets more recently.
Hutchison said Baxter — and the others she knew who participated in the protests last summer — do not represent the Occupy Cleveland movement.
“I knew him to be a part of the Occupy Cleveland movement, but (he) in no way represents Occupy Cleveland,” Hutchison said. “I think it’s bad for any kind of movement to take action like this that could be catastrophic."
Lakewood resident Jamie Kocinski said she first met Baxter at Lakewood High School, where they were classmates. She saw him again last summer at the Occupy Cleveland protests.
Hayne approached Lakewood City Hall last year about hosting a protest in Lakewood.
It never came about.
“We’re not doing this to try to force people to join our movement,” he told Lakewood Patch at the time. “We’re just trying to give people who want to join our movement a chance to listen, and we want to listen to what they have to say, as well.”
The FBI said in a press release the public was not in danger, and an undercover FBI employee had controlled the explosive devices. In addition, the explosives were inoperable.
Baxter, Wright and Hayne are being charged with conspiracy and attempted use of explosive materials to damage physical property affecting interstate commerce.
The arrests were made Monday night by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, an FBI press release said.
Connor C. Stevens, 20, and Joshua S. Stafford, 23, also were arrested. Charges are pending.
The men had been monitored by local law enforcement before the arrests. A criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court in Cleveland this morning. The men will appear before a federal magistrate in U.S. District court today.
The defendants considered a variety of plots in the Cleveland area before settling on the state Route 82 bridge from Brecksville to Sagamore Hills in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the release said. The three who are charged with conspiracy are self-proclaimed anarchists.
Brecksville Patch editor Rachel Abbey McCafferty contributed to this story.
Other Coverage on Patch:
FBI Arrests Five in Alleged Plot to Blow Up Brecksville Bridge
Man Suspected in Bridge Bomb Plot Former Avon Lake Resident
Brecksville Bridge Bomb Suspects Coverage Locally and Nationally
Erika McCracken
2:06 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
As someone who has taken part in Occupy Cleveland activities, I know the values of the movement are non violent, these kids acted on their own
Chris Olsen
2:21 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
"kids" ....hardly.....these are 3 adults who are going to rot in a prison cell.
tom m
3:28 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
now erika everytime there is a shooting (you the self proclaimed 19% blame the tea party) now you have members of your group (pictures to prove it) trying to blow up a bridge for the may day celebration and you are trying to say no no no they are not part of our group
Jack Kelly
6:15 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tom,
Every group that has their segment of loons. The "occupy" groups do as to do the Teabaggers.
Going the Fox News/Sean Hannity/Bill O'Whiny route and trying to associate an ENTIRE group because of a few people is outright ridiculous. Not to mention, these members were not happy with the Occupy Cleveland movement already because the group was not getting behind what these nujtobs wanted to do.
You're looking ridiculous lumping an entire group in with a few people. It's no different than any other group.
Joseph Kissel
10:00 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Just like in New York and other cities they have littered, urinated, destroyed property and disturbed people walking along.
DemetraRenae
3:43 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012
I totallllllly agree! They can't blame Occupy as a mass because of 5 idiots from brecksville.
Colin McEwen
2:14 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I've attended them myself. Didn't see any mayhem. These guys were on their own.
Timothy Nicholas Hudson
2:18 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
As someone who organized occupy protests I would say he does represent the movement. I think you should do some soul searching and figure out if the movement represents you.
David Smith
4:06 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Oh Nick, Trying to stir it up again I see. But of course I agree with you.
Janice Snyder
2:37 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Brandon grew up on Summit Avenue. He attended Lincoln Elementary with my sons & often came to our house after school to play & have a snack. He was always a smart kid whose grades didn't match his IQ. His homelife was a mess & he grew more & more disenfranchised as the years went by. On more than one occasion I thought he'd end up in jail--but not Federal prision. This is not a case where anyone who was paying attention would say, "I'm shocked."
The FBI is to be commended for its excellent work in keeping us safe. I read the 21-page affidavit & was saddened that someone with such potential, like Brandon, would become so disconnected with society that he would resort to plotting the destruction of bridges, train derailments, & bombing the Federal Reserve. I always hoped Brandon would find his path in life. Apparently he did. It just wasn't a constructive one.
Joseph Kissel
10:05 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
We always hope for the best in people and we all have things we can blame for our bad luck. Its about time each and every one of us takes responsibility for our actions and our communities we live in.
Ricky W Kracker a.k.a. Diggy Swagga
2:41 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
How convenient that none of the people who actually act out on the violence preached at these movements are considered "representatives". If you advocate for the violation of individual rights and outright theft and destruction of society, you should not act surprised when people act on those views.
Bill Kennedy
3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Question...why were they arrested yesterday? Maybe their goal was to blow up the bridge today for the May 1st Occupy/99% protest and the cops arrested them before they could carry out their plan. I hope someone looks into their link with the Occupy Cleveland group.
Steve
3:44 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Did the Three from Lakewood own PitBulls? Why not?
Brian
3:51 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I'm always amazed by the hatred of so many towards our country and government. No one is keeping you here, if you don't like it, please leave, we will all be better of without you.
Rick, Just because these men attened Occupy Cleveland movements does not implicate the group in any of these plots. Please show me where they advocate the violation of individual rights and outright theft and destruction of society. Your rhetoric and posting of incorrect information is just as dangerous to our society.
tom m
3:56 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Now Brian as rick posted actually answers your question
How convenient that none of the people who actually act out on the violence preached at these movements are considered "representatives". If you advocate for the violation of individual rights and outright theft and destruction of society, you should not act surprised when people act on those views.
Brian
4:10 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Tom, You only show your lack of common sense and intelligence. He doesn't show me any proof of anything, but rhetoric.
Ricky W Kracker a.k.a. Diggy Swagga
9:23 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Brian: If these people are not representative, why did the Lakewood Patch have a story on them in October 2011, in which Hayne specifically said he was part of Occupy Cleveland and setting up a branch in Lakewood? He certainly must have gotten some amount of support, if not funding, from those running Occupy Cleveland, no? ("Occupy Cleveland Coming to Lakewood", 27 Oct 2011).
As far as specifically advocating violation of individual rights, they reference "social" and "environmental" justice, which can only mean demanding that the government forcibly intervene in the voluntary transactions of individuals. They also speak of equality - but not equality before the law, nor equality of opportunity to pursue one's own happiness. Their equality is one of income and outcome - if we simply forcibly redistribute everyone's wealth, and forcibly mandate who and how many one can employ, then regardless of the end result, "social justice" has been served.
They look at a widening gap between the highest and lowest incomes, and ignore the fact that the poorest in the US are wealthier than the rest of the world, and are far better off than they ever were before. They also ignore the fact that "classes" are a myth - if you look at specific individuals, they are rising up out of poverty, or falling out of wealth, and constantly in flux. Nobody is stuck in any "class". That's how the Occupiers would have it, though - a return to feudalism or a caste system.
Joseph Kissel
10:07 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Do you watch the destruction they cause in these cities?
Chuck
3:52 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Steve, you're a moron.
Brian
4:12 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Very intuitive and thought provoking.
Steve
4:56 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
@Chluk, Your a bigger moron, you never answered, only condemned.
bill budner
3:54 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
hate your government, love your country.
Erika McCracken
3:59 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
These men in no way represent Occupy Cleveland which has been committed to nonviolence from the start
tom m
4:12 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
now erika Peter Schanz A occupy clevelander said and I quote "Until we have a justice system that holds banks accountable -- Wall Street banks trashed the economy -- we want people to know that there is a movement, and that it is OK to fight back," Schanz said
tom m
4:14 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
march 5th 2012 Five members of Occupy Cleveland were arrested Monday after they protested property foreclosures by interrupting a sheriff's sale.
Brandon Baxter of Lakewood said he had no regrets for making sure people heard the message.
Brian
4:18 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Tom, do yourself a favor and stop posting. You're argument and quotes make no sense. No where in that quote does it mention the use of violence or using bombs to blow up bridges. You're embarrassing yourself.
James Thomas
4:12 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Agreed that they don't represent Occupy Cleveland. Occupy Cleveland just provided them with an "Ayers-like" focus.
Brian
4:16 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I don't know why I am always surpised by the lack of intelligence in the comment sections of any online news or blog, but now I remember why I keep to myself.
tom m
4:26 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
when a occupy clevelander says "we want people to know that there is a movement, and that it is OK to fight back" and one of those arrested today were with him what do you call that ....and yes please do "but now I remember why I keep to myself." you are I G N O R A N T and you are clearly a supporter of these people
Brian
4:31 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I am not a supporter of them. Fighting back does not mean violence, it means taking a stance against something. No where does it say to become violent and use bombs or weapons to prove a point. Do you have a reading comprehension problem? Yes, I am ignorant because I continue to repsond to you.
joe simonton
4:37 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Brian you are very ignorant all those quotes everyone provided were anti-america hate speech by occupy Cleveland members while some of those who were arrested were present
BlackFlame
4:23 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Hello all. I'm a Lakewood resident and an anarchists. I just want to stop by and condemn these idiots. From what I've seen, these morons were not anarchists but primitivists. They are basically against all forms of technology and believe we should live in hunter gathering societies. Anarchism has a broad body of thought from stateless socialism to those who believe in free markets. I'll also say that anarchism believe in free association and voluntarism. Blowing up a bridge would go against all anarchist principles.
To those who say that anarchism is not part of the occupy movement, that is nonsense. While I agree these idiots don't represent Occupy, anarchism has played a central role in the occupy movement. The entire organization of occupy is built on anarchist principles including the idea of making it a popular and peaceful movement.
tom m
4:31 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I will agree that every group has its bad apples
Brian
4:35 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Use your real name and stop hiding behind aliases. What kind of man are you? If you believe in anarchism and you should be proud, not ashamed or afraid of your opinions. Sincerely, PurplePeopleEater.
Brian
4:36 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I'm done here.
tom m
4:40 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Brian wrote "Use your real name and stop hiding behind aliases" while he himself goes only by BRIAN hahahaha
James Thomas
4:44 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Just saw on line that Brandon Baxter is a leading organizer of Occupy Cleveland. Maybe the ties do go deeper.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/05/01/occupy-cleveland-leaders-involved-in-bridge-bomb-plot
Timothy Nicholas Hudson
4:45 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
You can say that they don't represent all of and maybe a majority of occupy Cleveland but to say that people who attend, promote and (at least attempt to) organize these rallies "in no way represent" your movement is delusional.
It is obvious that you don't hold the occupy freedom fighters to the same standards as the satanic octogenarian tea partiers. Occupy can break windows, poop on cop cars, throw malatov cocktails, and try to blow up bridges and they are just stragglers, but if a hillbilly draws a Hitler stash on an obama picture or a 70 year old woman thinks he's a Muslim the tea party is a hate group. Very consistent.
tom m
4:50 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
very well put (watch out brian might come back and call you stupid)
Geral Sosbee
8:54 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Another fbi plot foiled by fbi for publicity. Let the young innocent men go.
The fbi are the most dangerous terrorists on earth:
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/part4-worldinabo.html
Part One:
http://barbarahartwellvscia.blogspot.com/2012/03/must-prosecute-fbicia-assassins-for.html
http://sosbeevfbi.ning.com/forum/topics/americans-embrace-their
Part Two:
The fbi assassins control police and at the same time train their police serial killers.
The fbi/cia/police/vigilantes have a message for the Target:
WE INTEND TO
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OUrkgFp3d8/T2yJZ4tN4tI/AAAAAAAAAes/MJ5g_fgVY0U/s1600/kill.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V-LkoGhEfQ&feature=share
Timothy Nicholas Hudson
9:38 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Another fine "non-representative" of the occupy movement I presume. Next time your at your occupy gathering look around at the homeless people, drug addicts, unemployable gritballs, militant feminists, sodomites, & communists and ask yourself "which one am I?"
"You can’t soar like an eagle, when you hang out with turkeys."
David
10:06 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Occupy is like a cancer. They should attend a Tea Party to see how a protest is done without damaging the entire area.
jim
10:11 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The occupy movement has clearly stated since its inception october 6th 2011 that its principles are non-violent. We cannot read peoples minds, I am sure that if anyone starts talking about bombs the authorities would be informed. Most violent groups are secretive,and we would have nothing to gain by either. Such a large diverse group of people, but one thing that is always made clear is the demonstrations must be non-violent.
tom m
10:22 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
but yet one of your founding members of occupy cleveland sits in jail tonight
Joseph Kissel
10:12 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Have you seen the destruction these people who don't have anything better to do have done to these downtowns?
Ricky W Kracker a.k.a. Diggy Swagga
10:40 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Occupy Movement advocates for the government to forcibly intervene in the voluntary transactions and relationships of individuals, whether in the name of "social" or "environmental" justice, or egalitarianism. Their principles are anything but non-violent. As history clearly shows, when *practiced consistently*, these principles produce forced famines, firing squads, labor camps, and other rights violations. Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge are a prime example of egalitarianism consistently practiced.
O
6:51 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Nick you hang out with turkeys! Unless the coyotes got em
AMA
8:32 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
It's hard to soar like an eagle when you fly with turkeys!
You just never know who your neighbor really is.......
Thank you FBI !
Joseph Kissel
10:15 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
If these people are so mad at the rich why don't they protest the Pres.,Converse and Senate? These positions don't pay the amounts of money some of these peoples net worth? Think about that for a minute.
lyn
10:26 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Yes, and ...Actually, they should be protesting the government because they are responsible for laws, policies and regulations. If people don't like the taxes that the corporations or wealthy pay, or how banks operate - go after the government and demand change. Why protest those that are conducting business? You may not agree, or think its ethical - but if its legal - go elsewhere and seek change. As far as going after the banks because they are foreclosing on properties that payments aren't made on, why is it the banks fault? How would you like to lend money to someone and they not pay? would you say, that's okay and keep doing it?
AMA
12:28 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The banks knowingly lent monies to people who they really knew were not fully qualified,therefore, they defaulted on their loans.
lyn
5:26 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Banks lent money out to everyone because "those in government" (I'm not going to debate the politics of it, we all know who) decided they wanted everyone to be able to own a home, a ridiculous concept. You are right -some people just cannot afford it - and the banks should not have been placed in this position and then we would not have had the banking crisis and the eventual economic crisis that followed.
Steve
5:43 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
@Lyn, you really need to educate yourself about the financial meltdown, as it was the banks that pulled the strings for higher profits than they could ever imagine. And your a college grad, heaven help us all. Still paying for those student loans?
lyn
8:59 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Steve, This is a perfect example of how most Americans just look at the end result of an event, rather than what happened to cause that event, in this case, the banking crisis, to occur. I didn't think I would have to give a history lesson, since it wasn't that long ago and everyone on here likes to talk about how smart they are and point out how stupid the next person is. But I will go ahead and give a brief history lesson now:
Under Clinton, the government weakened bank lending standards - Congress weakened Fannie and Freddie standards. In 1995, regulatory changes were made to the CRA (Community Reinvestment Act-1977) the start of trying to give everyone homeownership. In 1999, Bill Clinton expanded the CRA through the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which applies CRA regulations to more banks by preventing them from expanding into mortgages or securities unless they comply with CRA rules (in other words, unless they make more subprime loans, as they did). Subprime - "A type of loan that is offered at a rate above prime to individuals who do not qualify for prime rate loans. Subprime borrowers are often turned away from traditional lenders because of their low credit rating or other factors that suggest that they have a reasonable chance of defaulting on the debt repayment."
Interest rates went down. The mess and corruption at Fannie and Freddie. interest rates increase. Lehman, etc. increase their leverage, which increased their risk.
(to be continued..)
lyn
9:11 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
In 2005, Alan Greenspan voices concerns over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.Twenty six Republican Senators plead in a letter "If effective regulatory reform legislation ... is not enacted this year, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system and the economy as a whole." No vote happened. In 2006, housing market peaks. In 2007, something is not looking good with the mortgage debt. In 2008, Bear Stearns Bailout, the government seizes insolvent Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and places them into conservatorship, and everything else people only remember - with TARP being passed under Bush.
I'm sure you will take issue with something I've summarized, but I tried.
Ricky W Kracker a.k.a. Diggy Swagga
10:42 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
My favorite image satirizing the Occupy Movement:
"From Freedom to Freebies"
http://fawstin.blogspot.com/2011/10/from-freedom-to-freebies.html
Brian
3:48 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Another ignorant blog spewing hate. Glad you find it funny.
Brian
10:53 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Hatred run rampant in these posts from each and everyone of you. You all have correct answers but do nothing but post on a website. Get involved and stop spreading hate.
Ricky W Kracker a.k.a. Diggy Swagga
11:06 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Brian: "hatred" for what? I have plenty of hatred for those who beg for my rights to be violated, for the destruction of my values. There is nothing wrong with hating someone who attacks your loved ones. The Occupy Movement is an emotional reaction (of hatred) toward the productive for *being* productive. As these representatives of the Movement clearly demonstrate, they would rather tear society down than participate in a rational discussion.
Geral Sosbee
11:38 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The fbi/cia/police/vigilantes corrupt our laws and our institutions by phony sting operations that are designed to imprison/kill innocent people for show.Citizens are turned against one another and sometimes chaos results.
http://sosbeevfbi.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-fbicia-turn-civil-society
http://www.barbarahartwellvscia.blogspot.com/2012/03/cyber-stalker-goon-criminal-harassment.html
Brian
11:07 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Lynn - Grow up. You act like a little kid. Did you even finish high school?
Brian
3:47 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Does it matter? Lyn or Lynn? I don't look down on people, I do however, defend people or groups of lies and hate. To say the Occupy Cleveland group promotes violence without proof is ludacris and unintelligent.
Fact is I am not even associated with this group nor have I ever been to a rally. I just can't stand people who hide behind the internet to make false claims without proof. Freedom of speech does not include making up lies about a group you might disagree with. Plain and simple.
Brian
11:08 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I love all the online tough guys and girls. Don't say things you wouldn't say to someones face. Learn to be respectful of other people.
Mac
12:44 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I wish I was brave like Brian.
tom m
1:17 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
hey brian ill tell you what I will be at the softball fields at foltz parkway between 8-9pm tonite I will have on a teamsters shirt come on up I have plenty of things to say to your face
Brian
3:39 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tom M. - What's your name?
Brian
3:43 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Mac, brave enough to use my name. Not a nickname my Nana gave to me.
tom m
6:03 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
brian ill tell you my name at foltz park tonite ...hope you can make it ...so I can tell you what I think to your face as you asked
lyn
9:41 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Did Brian show up?
tom m
10:03 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
no I guess he did not think anyone would call his bluff
Brian
11:11 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Bye Lyn.
AMA
12:31 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
What I want to know is how some people are using only their first name and or other names to hide their identities?????
What's good for the goose is good for the gander..........
And, please, this is an adult forum, so please respect another's opinion.
Thank you.
Timothy Nicholas Hudson
12:41 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Brian you have thrown around more insults than anyone else on here. If everyone else here are such morons how is it that you have not made a single statement of fact to back your accusations of hated & bigotry.
Brian
3:42 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
You should learn to spell and proofread, otherwise the moron statement holds true. The fact you and your cronie friends are attacking people and organizations and claiming they promote violence is, in itself, hatred. I never used the word bigot or bigotry.
Michael O'Shea
2:59 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Hey folks: I am the lawyer for Mr. Hayne. If anyone has any information that you think might be helpful to my understanding of this case and him, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks.
Michael J. O'Shea, Esq.
Lipson O'Shea Legal Group
Beachcliff Market Square
19300 Detroit Road - Suite 202
Rocky River, Ohio 44116
(440) 356-2700 - office
(216) 470-8098 - cell
(440) 331-5401 - fax
michael@moshea.com
www.lipsonoshea.com
Facebook: facebook.com/attorneyoshea
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mjoesq
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/attorneyoshea
Steve
5:49 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I like this guy, very direct...
tom m
6:11 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
whats to understand ...the FBI said your client and his friends tried to blow a bridge up with what they thought was a bomb
tom m
6:00 pm on Friday, May 4, 2012
7121 occupy arrests so far not bad for a peaceful group http://stpeteforpeace.org/occupyarrests.sources.html