State, federal police surround tax evaders' home Nick Juliano

Published: Thursday June 7, 2007 Print This Email This Reports began emerging Thursday afternoon that dozens of police officers are surrounding the New Hampshire home of tax protesters Ed and Elaine Brown, but a protracted stand-off seems to have been averted. The Browns have been convicted on tax evasion charges and have refused to leave their 110-acre compound in rural New Hampshire to serve lengthy prison terms. Details are scare about the police action around the home, with reporters in the area being kept away. The US Marshals Service, which is handling media inquiries, did not immediately return a call from RAW STORY Thursday. According to a statement from the Marshals Service reported by the New Hampshire Union Leader, federal agents said they would not raid the home Thursday. "We are here, in conjunction with authorities, from the Department of the Treasury, to serve that warrant," the statement said. "As we have said from the beginning, we will continue to communicate with Ed and Elaine Brown to convince them to surrender peacefully." PrisonPlanet.com, which has been closely following the story, reported that police began withdrawing from the Brown compound Thursday afternoon. Speaking on an internet radio broadcast, Brown suggested the police action was a test by authorities to see what the response to a raid would be, according to PrisonPlanet. The Associated Press reports police SWAT teams and at least one armored vehicle have gathered near the home, according to the Browns' neighbors. The police presence includes at least 50 state troopers, some armed with high powered rifles, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader. The Browns have been convicted in federal court of failing to pay more than $500,000 in taxes, according to the Union Leader. The couple skipped sentencing hearings in April, when they were sentenced to more than five years in prison. The Browns say they will refuse to surrender to police. Predicting that a "new Waco could be underway," PrisonPlanet.com reports the Browns' phone line has been cut. The site also links to an article from earlier this year in which the US Marshall for New Hampshire, Stephen R. Monier, said agents were "not going to go there and create an armed confrontation." The following video is from WMMUR News 9, broadcast on June 7.



