A mysterious "Jefferson Military Simulation Meeting" on Wednesday became even more strange when the man who organized the gathering refused to verify his identity, including whether he was a military veteran.

A man who called himself Bo Diggins from Delta Flats said he was a military veteran and wanted to get feedback on his ideas on creating a new State of Jefferson.

Diggins said he mailed out a flier to Shasta County residents inviting military veterans, ex-police, gun lovers, rescue workers and self-defense experts to a meeting at a vacant lot at the corner of Cypress and Hartnell avenues in Redding.

Before Wednesday's meeting, State of Jefferson supporters said they didn't know who sent out the flier and were puzzled that the document contained no information about who authored it.

The mystery only deepened as many of the nearly two dozen people who showed up at the meeting Wednesday said they didn't believe much of what Diggins had to say, even his claims to live in the North State and that he was a veteran.

"I think he's awful vague, secretive, covert and not very honest about his intentions," said Kevin Hamilton of Redding.

Diggins said he called the meeting to get feedback on his ideas to create a new State of Jefferson. He said the proposed state's economy would be based on a "military-backed crypto-currency."

When asked whether he was affiliated with the current State of Jefferson movement that wants to make a new state out of parts of Northern California and Southern Oregon, Diggins said that group hasn't made any progress in reaching its goals.

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"I see a lot of talk about the State of Jefferson. I don't see a lot of movement," said Diggins, who wore a camouflage jacket, dark sunglasses and a ball cap worn low above his eyes.

"I daresay you're not involved in the State of Jefferson movement," said Nick Gardner of Redding, a State of Jefferson supporter.

Diggins said he wasn't involved with the group because he was unhappy with how little progress it was making.

"When I see some legitimate movement I'll be impressed. So far it's just pie in the sky," Diggins said. "Are you willing to give everything for the State of Jefferson — everything?"

When asked what he meant by "everything," he didn't explain. He was also asked if he intends to lead an armed insurgency, considering his call for ex-military and gun lovers. Diggins said he only wanted to hear feedback on his ideas for a new state.

"This is not a State of Jefferson movement. This is a militant movement," Gardner said.

At one point Diggins asked if anyone in the crowd was a member of the right-wing group Oathkeepers, but no one raised their hand.

Instead, many in the crowd grew suspicious of him. Several people said they had not heard of Delta Flats, but Diggins said it is between Redding and Mount Shasta.

"Hey Bo, how do I get ahold of you?" Gardner asked.

"I get ahold of you. That's how it works," Diggins told him.

Before the meeting, Diggins stood on the Cypress Avenue bridge over the Sacramento River and watched the meeting site, holding a small American flag and an ammunition cannister.

Several Redding police officers approached him and spoke with him before he moved on. At about 4 p.m. Diggins walked up to a small group that gathered in the vacant lot and began talking with people individually.

Soon, however, he was being peppered with questions. Gardner said he wanted to know why he hasn't attended the regular State of Jefferson meetings held in Redding.

Diggins said he had reached out to the group, but members didn't respond.

"I want to organize these seven guys here and if what you see in the world bothers you..." he trailed off without finishing. "I want us to become our own state."

One man walked up to Diggins and said he had seen a video with him participating in an Antifa rally in Texas.

"Question. Texas, 2018, right? We have a video with you in it," the man said. "Show us you're not Antifa!" the man said, referring to the group that arose as a protest movement after a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.

Others asked him to provide some identification. Hamilton asked to see his driver's license and to prove he was a veteran. But Diggins declined.

After about 45 minutes, Diggins told everyone good-bye and walked off alone across a vacant field toward the Sacramento River, carrying the ammo can he brought to collect donations for his cause.

He soon disappeared under the Cypress Avenue bridge. A man camped under the bridge said he saw Diggins walk by but he wasn't sure where he went.

Damon Arthur is the Record Searchlight’s resources and environment reporter. He is among the first on the scene at breaking news incidents, reporting real time on Twitter at @damonarthur_RS. Damon is part of a dedicated team of journalists who investigate wrongdoing and find the unheard voices to tell the stories of the North State. He welcomes story tips at 530-225-8226 and damon.arthur@redding.com. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today!