Four members of an alleged anarchist militia group of soldiers are accused of killing a former soldier from Kirkland and his girlfriend to keep secret their plans for various anti-government actions, which authorities said included blowing up a dam in Washington and poisoning the state’s apple crop, according to reports published Monday.
Prosecutors in Georgia told a judge Monday that the group of current and former military members called itself F.E.A.R., short for Forever Enduring Always Ready, according to The Associated Press.
One of the Fort Stewart soldiers charged in the case, Pfc. Michael Burnett, pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter, illegal gang activity and other charges in a deal to testify against the three other soldiers—Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, identified by prosecutors as the militia's founder and leader, and Sgt. Anthony Peden and Pvt. Christopher Salmon.
Prosecutors say the men killed Michael Roark, 19, and his girlfriend, Tiffany York, 17, in December to keep the group’s plans secret.
Roark was born in Kirkland, according to his obituary on The Herald of Everett. He spent part of high school in Marysville, and his funeral service in December was held in Shoreline, The Herald reported.
Aguigui was home-schooled in Cashmere, in Chelan County, joining the Army after graduation, the Seattle Times reported.
KOMO News interviewed Roark's mother Monday, Aug. 27. You can read and watch the interview here.
