Founder Of State Militia Pleads Innocent To Charge

The founder of the Washington State Militia pleaded innocent Thursday in federal court to conspiring to make pipe bombs.

Trial for John Pitner, 45, of the Whatcom County town of Deming, was scheduled for Oct. 7.

Pitner was among eight people - four of them current or former Washington State Militia members - arrested July 27 in the Bellingham and Seattle areas. A ninth person was arrested Aug. 7.

Like Pitner, all the defendants have pleaded innocent to explosives-related charges.

Federal prosecutors contend Pitner had trained in making explosive devices in August 1995 and February 1996.

Defense lawyer James Lobsenz said Pitner had only listened to someone explain how bombs were made. In court documents, Lobsenz said Pitner had ceased being active in the militia after February.

Federal agents have said in court documents that the defendants were arming themselves for an eventual confrontation with the federal government or the United Nations.