Man arrested for threatening Obama

Rodman · 06-02-2009, 06:52 AM

Man arrested for threatening Obama
Morgan resident had military background, was ‘disgruntled,’ police say

By Jenni Vincent / Journal staff writer POSTED: June 2, 2009

BERKELEY SPRINGS - Morgan County Sheriff Vince Shambaugh said Monday that a local man has been arrested and charged with making threats against President Barack Obama.

Dale Meadows, of 12311 Valley Road, Berkeley Springs, was arrested without incident on May 21 after his department was contacted for assistance by two U.S. Secret Service agents from Charleston, Shambaugh said.

At that time, the agents' requested assistance in locating Meadows and serving an arrest warrant, he said.

While the details of Meadows' alleged actions have not been made public, Shambaugh said that his prior military background may have played somewhat of a role.

"Evidently he had been disgruntled with the Veterans Administration and some other veterans' organizations. And for whatever reason, it went to the point of him making threats," Shambaugh said.

"I don't know the details of his actions, but it must have been credible enough for probable cause for a warrant for whatever he'd said or done," he said.

When his name was run through the system, Meadows was not found to have any previous history with law enforcement, Shambaugh said.

A SWAT team was assembled and team members met at the sheriff's office with the agents to conduct a briefing before going to Meadow's residence, which was located 12 miles south of town, near the Virginia line, he said.

"We took extra precautions because he is a veteran and has had weapons training, so we felt it was better to err on the side of caution," Shambaugh said.

There were several people in the house when law enforcement arrived and an elderly woman opened the door, he said.

They found Meadows in bed and he was taken without incident at about 1:45 p.m., Shambaugh said.

Meadows was then taken to the Eastern Regional Jail, where he was interviewed by the federal agents, he said.

This is the first time his department has served an arrest warrant for the Secret Service, Shambaugh said.

However, Shambaugh had assembled the SWAT team three years ago and team members received their training in Philadelphia, he said.

Dealing with the federal authorities is different at some levels, Shambaugh said.

"For example, it's just now that we've been able to release the information about this incident or talk about it," he said Monday.

- Staff writer Jenni Vincent can be reached at (304) 263-3381, ext. 138, or jvincent@journal-news.net

alhefner · 06-02-2009, 07:13 AM

Hmmm...a SWAT team because he was a vet who had firearms training??? gee, I guess the several million vets, including myself, should always be thoughht of a dangerous and met with SWAT?

More total stupidity in my opinion. The administration is unable to trust the people they send off to fight ad die in foreign lands. The administration is unable to trust the very people who elected them to office. Just who will the administration ever be able to trust?

Hitler, Stalin, Mao, among others were pretty paranoid too.

topper · 06-02-2009, 07:24 AM

seems like everyone is 'jumpy' nowadays. i think they are doing it themselves. sorta making a mountain out of a molehill, if ya get my meaning. i suppose we people have been told of all kinds of dangers lurking about for so long and now we want to close any kind of potential problems before they arise. but at what cost? are we getting like the boy who cried wolf? no contingency exists to cover all problems all the time, but just give the government more time and they will have a solution to everything.

Keep both barrels loaded!

USMCSpeedy · 06-02-2009, 07:38 AM

It doesn't say how old he is but being an "elderly woman" opened the door and he was in bed, it sounds to me like they were taking on a fiesty old WWII vet.

mrkirker · 06-02-2009, 07:42 AM

Fellow should have known that anyone making threats toward a president is subject to arrest, just to be on the safe side, and I feel this policy is a good one. This process is 'nothing new'.

Disgruntled morons are nothing new, either.

22WRF · 06-02-2009, 08:13 AM

A lot of armed and dangerous people out there

FM258 · 06-02-2009, 08:45 AM

JHC a SWAT team?

How about a visit by a LEO and enquire what its all about? We all say and sometimes post things we dont really mean...out of anger or frustration.

Its nice to know that the authorities think of us Vets as armed and dangerous....we are.

RunningOnMT · 06-02-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkirker

Fellow should have known that anyone making threats toward a president is subject to arrest, just to be on the safe side, and I feel this policy is a good one. This process is 'nothing new'.

Disgruntled morons are nothing new, either.

Exactly right. People have to know as tempting as it may be to vent in this way, you can not threaten the president of the United States. The people charged with his protection simply do not play around.

AL MOUNT · 06-02-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningOnMT

Exactly right. People have to know as tempting as it may be to vent in this way,
you can not threaten the president of the United States.
The people charged with his protection simply do not play around.

Can't be stated much better or more simple.

bcj1755 · 06-02-2009, 09:23 AM

The Secret Service does indeed take their job of protecting POTUS seriously, including the current occupant of the White House (note that I cannot use the term "President" in this case, nor can I use the words "President" and "Obama" together as he is a foreign usurper).

However, I think that this is setting a dangerous precident. When the sheriff says they needed a SWAT team for the only reason that the guy was ex-military it does not bode well for all of us that are ex-military. Soon, I imagine that they police will be calling out SWAT teams on ex-military people, even if they are just going to knock on the door to ask questions. We already know that the feds consider ex-military to be dangerous (probably having something to do with that oath that we took), and this incident allowed the feds to kill two birds with one stone. One, they arrested someone making threats against Obama. Two, they were able set precident and demonstrate to the "fair and impartial" media and the gullible citizens that ex-military gun owning types are indeed dangerous and are indeed right-wing extremists. And by extension they further their message that all who do not support Obama are a possible danger.

Get ready, it's going to get bad soon.

FM258 · 06-02-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningOnMT

Exactly right. People have to know as tempting as it may be to vent in this way, you can not threaten the president of the United States. The people charged with his protection simply do not play around.

JFK would disagree.

Im against threats to the POTUS as well, I just dont agree with the SWAT team.

FM258 · 06-02-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcj1755

The Secret Service does indeed take their job of protecting POTUS seriously, including the current occupant of the White House (note that I cannot use the term "President" in this case, nor can I use the words "President" and "Obama" together as he is a foreign usurper).

However, I think that this is setting a dangerous precident. When the sheriff says they needed a SWAT team for the only reason that the guy was ex-military it does not bode well for all of us that are ex-military. Soon, I imagine that they police will be calling out SWAT teams on ex-military people, even if they are just going to knock on the door to ask questions. We already know that the feds consider ex-military to be dangerous (probably having something to do with that oath that we took), and this incident allowed the feds to kill two birds with one stone. One, they arrested someone making threats against Obama. Two, they were able set precident and demonstrate to the "fair and impartial" media and the gullible citizens that ex-military gun owning types are indeed dangerous and are indeed right-wing extremists. And by extension they further their message that all who do not support Obama are a possible danger.

Get ready, it's going to get bad soon.

That is very well stated.

Trouble 45-70 · 06-02-2009, 10:20 AM

"When the Government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyrany." Thomas Jefferson. Looks like we may be approaching the swap over point.

Hardballer · 06-02-2009, 11:26 AM

Approaching?!!?!

45nut · 06-02-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouble 45-70

"When the Government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyrany." Thomas Jefferson. Looks like we may be approaching the swap over point.

uhmmmm........ we passed that point sometime in the last 2 years. Some would say earlier, others say later. The point is, we are now sliding down that slippery slope into the abyss of tyranny.

Suwannee Tim · 06-02-2009, 11:59 AM

Just last month two Okaloosa County Florida deputies were killed while attempting an arrest. Considering that, how can you find fault with the SWAT team being called for this arrest? It doesn't matter how much hardware they bring. What matters is the professionalism and legality of the arrest. They didn't kick down the door, shoot in tear gas or beat or kill the suspect. Obama may not be your president but he is the POTUS and these guys will step into the line of fire to do their duty. Who on this forum has stones big enough to tell these guys how to do their job? Common sense time: you threaten the POTUS you get in trouble, vet or not. And you don't get my sympathy, vet or not. Do you think the Secret Service consults President Obama on the details of these arrests? Of course not. Do you think the Secret Service has changed their policies since inauguration day? I doubt it. This is an absolute non-issue. Give it a rest.

mrkirker · 06-02-2009, 12:10 PM

FM258 · 06-02-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suwannee Tim

Just last month two Okaloosa County Florida deputies were killed while attempting an arrest. Considering that, how can you find fault with the SWAT team being called for this arrest? It doesn't matter how much hardware they bring. What matters is the professionalism and legality of the arrest. They didn't kick down the door, shoot in tear gas or beat or kill the suspect. Obama may not be your president but he is the POTUS and these guys will step into the line of fire to do their duty. Who on this forum has stones big enough to tell these guys how to do their job? Common sense time: you threaten the POTUS you get in trouble, vet or not. And you don't get my sympathy, vet or not. Do you think the Secret Service consults President Obama on the details of these arrests? Of course not. Do you think the Secret Service has changed their policies since inauguration day? I doubt it. This is an absolute non-issue. Give it a rest.

Give it a rest Komrade?? This thread isnt even 20 long, when it gets to 1000, you can call it all off.

And I think Vets DO deserve some respect (not sympathy, you can stick that on the moon) here, they have pledged their own lives in the defense of this country, if that isnt anything to you I dont really care.

Teejay9 · 06-02-2009, 12:51 PM

It is the height of foolishness to make threats against the president, no matter who it may be. This is what has triggered so many anti-gun laws and the infringements that follow. As frustrated and angry as many of us are, to make a threat, hollow as it may be, is an act of sheer stupidity. Having said that, I believe it was a bit over the top to call out a SWAT team on account of an idle threat. TJ

mrkirker · 06-02-2009, 01:06 PM

Dearest FM,
Komrade? Some threads tend to pretty well cover the ground in fewer words than others. However, you appear to have further dialogue that will add new dimensions to the aready over-plowed ground.
With breath abated . . . .

FM258 · 06-02-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkirker

Dearest FM,
Komrade? Some threads tend to pretty well cover the ground in fewer words than others. However, you appear to have further dialogue that will add new dimensions to the aready over-plowed ground.
With breath abated . . . .

Does anyone even know what this grave thread was that needed a SWAT team to take action?

Are all threats posted online treated with the same overkill?

Is this the purpose of SWAT teams?

Is this topic beaten to death?? Not yet.

mrkirker · 06-02-2009, 01:23 PM

Nope, poor ole mule is still twitchin'!

cjh7819 · 06-02-2009, 01:58 PM

I think the Secret Service has changed it's policy some. I mean what about all the books and films when Bush was president saying that he should be killed. And then the media played it up and called it freedom of speech or art or whatever the whackjobs wanted to call it. Do you suppose the people that bought those books or video's are on any watch lists?

Suwannee Tim · 06-02-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FM258

Give it a rest Komrade?? This thread isnt even 20 long, when it gets to 1000, you can call it all off.

When I say "give it a rest" I mean bashing Obama for things he is not the author of. We are throwing away trillions of dollars as fast as we can print them, selling our country to China, we are soon going to put a colossal tax on energy and the Obama is going to take over our health care system. That's the good news. The Dems are going to cement themselves in power so they can never be overthrown again. Give the griping about non-issues a rest. If you want to gripe you can find real problems to gripe about. Komrade.

Suwannee Tim · 06-02-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FM258

Is this the purpose of SWAT teams?

One of the purposes of a SWAT team is to make arrests without people getting killed. In this case they succeeded. Was the arrest warrant faulty? Did the arrest the wrong man? Did anyone get hurt? No, no and no. Then the officers did the right thing. Give it a rest.

06-02-2009, 06:52 AM	#1
Rodman Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 22	Man arrested for threatening Obama Man arrested for threatening Obama Morgan resident had military background, was ‘disgruntled,’ police say By Jenni Vincent / Journal staff writer POSTED: June 2, 2009 BERKELEY SPRINGS - Morgan County Sheriff Vince Shambaugh said Monday that a local man has been arrested and charged with making threats against President Barack Obama. Dale Meadows, of 12311 Valley Road, Berkeley Springs, was arrested without incident on May 21 after his department was contacted for assistance by two U.S. Secret Service agents from Charleston, Shambaugh said. At that time, the agents' requested assistance in locating Meadows and serving an arrest warrant, he said. While the details of Meadows' alleged actions have not been made public, Shambaugh said that his prior military background may have played somewhat of a role. "Evidently he had been disgruntled with the Veterans Administration and some other veterans' organizations. And for whatever reason, it went to the point of him making threats," Shambaugh said. "I don't know the details of his actions, but it must have been credible enough for probable cause for a warrant for whatever he'd said or done," he said. When his name was run through the system, Meadows was not found to have any previous history with law enforcement, Shambaugh said. A SWAT team was assembled and team members met at the sheriff's office with the agents to conduct a briefing before going to Meadow's residence, which was located 12 miles south of town, near the Virginia line, he said. "We took extra precautions because he is a veteran and has had weapons training, so we felt it was better to err on the side of caution," Shambaugh said. There were several people in the house when law enforcement arrived and an elderly woman opened the door, he said. They found Meadows in bed and he was taken without incident at about 1:45 p.m., Shambaugh said. Meadows was then taken to the Eastern Regional Jail, where he was interviewed by the federal agents, he said. This is the first time his department has served an arrest warrant for the Secret Service, Shambaugh said. However, Shambaugh had assembled the SWAT team three years ago and team members received their training in Philadelphia, he said. Dealing with the federal authorities is different at some levels, Shambaugh said. "For example, it's just now that we've been able to release the information about this incident or talk about it," he said Monday. - Staff writer Jenni Vincent can be reached at (304) 263-3381, ext. 138, or jvincent@journal-news.net -->

06-02-2009, 07:13 AM	#2
alhefner V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 205	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama Hmmm...a SWAT team because he was a vet who had firearms training??? gee, I guess the several million vets, including myself, should always be thoughht of a dangerous and met with SWAT? More total stupidity in my opinion. The administration is unable to trust the people they send off to fight ad die in foreign lands. The administration is unable to trust the very people who elected them to office. Just who will the administration ever be able to trust? Hitler, Stalin, Mao, among others were pretty paranoid too. __________________ I hunt with a camera! - my outdoor blog Fighting "Gun Crime" by focusing on the criminal

06-02-2009, 07:24 AM	#3
topper Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: deep in the woods Posts: 748	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama seems like everyone is 'jumpy' nowadays. i think they are doing it themselves. sorta making a mountain out of a molehill, if ya get my meaning. i suppose we people have been told of all kinds of dangers lurking about for so long and now we want to close any kind of potential problems before they arise. but at what cost? are we getting like the boy who cried wolf? no contingency exists to cover all problems all the time, but just give the government more time and they will have a solution to everything. Keep both barrels loaded!

06-02-2009, 07:38 AM	#4
USMCSpeedy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 627	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama It doesn't say how old he is but being an "elderly woman" opened the door and he was in bed, it sounds to me like they were taking on a fiesty old WWII vet. __________________ If all else fails, VOTE FROM THE ROOFTOPS Trying to reform a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd from the clean end. What this country needs is more family trees that will produce more lumber and fewer nuts!

06-02-2009, 07:42 AM	#5
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama Fellow should have known that anyone making threats toward a president is subject to arrest, just to be on the safe side, and I feel this policy is a good one. This process is 'nothing new'. Disgruntled morons are nothing new, either. __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.* Last edited by mrkirker; 06-02-2009 at 07:44 AM..

06-02-2009, 08:13 AM	#6
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,250	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama A lot of armed and dangerous people out there __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel

06-02-2009, 08:45 AM	#7
FM258 Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 27	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama JHC a SWAT team? How about a visit by a LEO and enquire what its all about? We all say and sometimes post things we dont really mean...out of anger or frustration. Its nice to know that the authorities think of us Vets as armed and dangerous....we are.

06-02-2009, 09:23 AM	#10
bcj1755 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: A wretched hive of scum and villiany Posts: 4,357	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama The Secret Service does indeed take their job of protecting POTUS seriously, including the current occupant of the White House (note that I cannot use the term "President" in this case, nor can I use the words "President" and "Obama" together as he is a foreign usurper). However, I think that this is setting a dangerous precident. When the sheriff says they needed a SWAT team for the only reason that the guy was ex-military it does not bode well for all of us that are ex-military. Soon, I imagine that they police will be calling out SWAT teams on ex-military people, even if they are just going to knock on the door to ask questions. We already know that the feds consider ex-military to be dangerous (probably having something to do with that oath that we took), and this incident allowed the feds to kill two birds with one stone. One, they arrested someone making threats against Obama. Two, they were able set precident and demonstrate to the "fair and impartial" media and the gullible citizens that ex-military gun owning types are indeed dangerous and are indeed right-wing extremists. And by extension they further their message that all who do not support Obama are a possible danger. Get ready, it's going to get bad soon. __________________ History is much like an endless waltz. The three beats of war, peace, and revolution continue on forever. Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges - Cicero If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. - Samuel Adams

06-02-2009, 10:20 AM	#13
Trouble 45-70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NE Ar. W. of Black River Contributor Posts: 2,703	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama "When the Government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyrany." Thomas Jefferson. Looks like we may be approaching the swap over point.

06-02-2009, 11:26 AM	#14
Hardballer V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Smack dab in da middle Posts: 471	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama Approaching?!!?!

06-02-2009, 11:59 AM	#16
Suwannee Tim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,227	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama Just last month two Okaloosa County Florida deputies were killed while attempting an arrest. Considering that, how can you find fault with the SWAT team being called for this arrest? It doesn't matter how much hardware they bring. What matters is the professionalism and legality of the arrest. They didn't kick down the door, shoot in tear gas or beat or kill the suspect. Obama may not be your president but he is the POTUS and these guys will step into the line of fire to do their duty. Who on this forum has stones big enough to tell these guys how to do their job? Common sense time: you threaten the POTUS you get in trouble, vet or not. And you don't get my sympathy, vet or not. Do you think the Secret Service consults President Obama on the details of these arrests? Of course not. Do you think the Secret Service has changed their policies since inauguration day? I doubt it. This is an absolute non-issue. Give it a rest. Last edited by Suwannee Tim; 06-02-2009 at 12:06 PM..

06-02-2009, 12:10 PM	#17
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama .. Attached Images __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.*

06-02-2009, 12:51 PM	#19
Teejay9 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southwest Corner of the US, "Where no stinking fence will stop us!!" Posts: 1,257	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama It is the height of foolishness to make threats against the president, no matter who it may be. This is what has triggered so many anti-gun laws and the infringements that follow. As frustrated and angry as many of us are, to make a threat, hollow as it may be, is an act of sheer stupidity. Having said that, I believe it was a bit over the top to call out a SWAT team on account of an idle threat. TJ

06-02-2009, 01:06 PM	#20
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama Dearest FM, Komrade? Some threads tend to pretty well cover the ground in fewer words than others. However, you appear to have further dialogue that will add new dimensions to the aready over-plowed ground. With breath abated . . . . __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.*

06-02-2009, 01:23 PM	#22
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama Nope, poor ole mule is still twitchin'! __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.*

06-02-2009, 01:58 PM	#23
cjh7819 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 137	Re: Man arrested for threatening Obama I think the Secret Service has changed it's policy some. I mean what about all the books and films when Bush was president saying that he should be killed. And then the media played it up and called it freedom of speech or art or whatever the whackjobs wanted to call it. Do you suppose the people that bought those books or video's are on any watch lists?