http://washtimes.com/national/default-2000821213831.htm
August 21, 2000

Memories of Waco tragedy linger in latest Texas standoff 

By Hugh Aynesworth THE WASHINGTON TIMES


TRINIDAD, Texas - A smoldering situation that stirs up memories of the
tragedy at the Branch Davidian complex near Waco has many folks on edge
in this tiny community about 75 miles southeast of Dallas.
Like Mount Carmel in 1993, when more than 80 Branch Davidians died in a
raging fire after a 51-day standoff with federal authorities, the
scenario here involves an offshoot church, claims of illegal weapons
stockpiled, undelivered felony arrest warrants, even children held
unlawfully.
But local officials say they are not prepared to storm the main house,
located on a 47-acre wooded homestead, and arrest John Joe Gray, a
51-year-old part-time carpenter and part-time religious guru, and take
away two boys said to be held illegally inside.
Mr. Gray was indicted by a grand jury in May for assaulting a state
trooper and taking his weapon. He has refused to show up for court
hearings on the charges.
Legal custody of the two boys inside his compound, his grandsons, has
been awarded to their father, who has desperately tried to get them
back.
Henderson County Deputy Sheriff Ron Brownlow said last week he will not
serve the arrest warrants on Mr. Gray, or deliver the boys to their
father, "until we feel certain nobody will be hurt." He has reason to
be concerned. In a note delivered by an intermediary recently, Mr. Gray
warned Henderson County Sheriff H.B. "Slick" Alfred that if he or his
men "invaded" the Gray property, the sheriff had better "bring body
bags." Mr. Gray in recent years has adopted the beliefs of the
anti-government Embassy of Heaven religion, an Oregon-based sect that
does not recognize government authority. Secular government is in
direct competition with God, insist the group's leaders. Followers
often refuse to get automobile license plates, Social Security cards
orbirth certificates, and do not pay income tax or pay attention to
court decisions.
"I thought we would be in the midst of another Waco [incident] by
Thursday morning," said Harley Summers, a retired farmer from nearby
Gun Barrel City. "But I guess somebody backed down. Thank God." Asked
if he was familiar with the Gray property, Mr.
Summers abruptly got in his pickup truck and said, "No. No, not me. I
wouldn't go within a mile of that place. I'm old, but I'm not crazy."
On Tuesday and Wednesday, rumors were rife that heavily armed federal
troops were poised about 20 miles from here, preparing for an onslaught
on the Gray home.
Alarmist Internet sites cited "reports" of the forthcoming "invasion."
Some area television stations reported those rumors, although officials
denied knowledge of any plan to arrest Mr.
Gray in Trinidad, population 1,056.
"I even had a phone call from the county judge," said Deputy Brownlow.
"I told him there was nothing planned, that no federal agency had been
involved in this situation and that I had no idea where this rumor
began." "We've got a serious situation here with some very serious
threats made," Sheriff Alfred said. "The children's safety is of
primary concern." Deputy Brownlow said authorities aren't sure how many
people, including children, are inside the compound.
Alex Jones, who calls himself an anti-government journalist and
operates a Web site from Austin (www.infowars.com), said he went inside
the compound Wednesday night and reported that 10 adults and seven
children were present.
Lisa Tarkington, 30, one of Mr. Gray's daughters, took her two small
boys to live in the rustic compound last year.
Her husband, Keith Tarkington, has since filed for divorce and was
awarded custody of their boys after Mrs. Tarkington refused to show up
in court.
Mrs. Tarkington subsequently sent a letter to the judge that said: "God
will never let him see his children again." Today, 15 months later, Mr.
Tarkington is enraged that authorities have not entered the compound
and removed his boys.
"What are they doing?" he asked. "They are endangering my boys. They
don't have electricity in there, they must be getting low on food. And
I think one could certainly make the case they are being abused, just
being around that gun-toting nut group.
"Why doesn't law enforcement do what it is paid to do?" Last week,
after erroneous reports aired about the forthcoming raid, several Texas
reporters arrived at the scene and observed supporters who dropped off
supplies.
One man, who refused to give his name, delivered several bags of food
and another donated a portable electric generator.
As he drove off, he told a woman standing at the front door, gun in
hand, "Don't let [them] get you down. You've got friends. Don't let 'em
get to the front door, like they did in Waco." The woman, flanked by
other residents who were visibly armed, waved her gun and said, "Don't
worry. Ain't nobody getting inside this gate." Then she said somberly,
"We know how to use these. Tell everybody that, so there won't be any
surprises." On the property, a posted sign reads, "Public employees
beware. Notice to all public servants. No Trespassing.
Survivors will be prosecuted."
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