Indictment: 'God wants me to destroy the judge,' tax protester said

By JON TEVLIN, Star Tribune

Last update: July 16, 2008 - 5:22 AM

A month before he was convicted for tax evasion, Robert Beale made a phone call from jail to a friend who shared his views on the U.S. tax system.

"God wants me to destroy the judge," said Beale, who is in jail awaiting sentencing for tax evasion. "That judge is evil. He wants me to get rid of her."

Beale instructed the group to bring 30 or 40 people to his trial to disrupt it if U.S. District Court Judge Ann Montgomery failed to dismiss charges, the indictment says. No more than a handful of observers ever attended.

The call was recorded by authorities, according to indictments filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court against Beale and three others, including a former police officer.

Besides Beale, charges were filed against John Howard Pelton, 67, of Stillwater, the former officer; Frederick Ogan Bond, 62, of Champlin and Norman William Pool, 43, of Blaine.

The four are charged with attempting to prevent Montgomery from presiding over Beale's trial in May through force, intimidation and threat, according to the indictment.

The defendants held a "common law court" to issue false liens and "arrest warrants" against Montgomery, according to court documents. They were also planning to disrupt court proceedings in the belief that only Jesus Christ has jurisdiction over people.

On April 10, Bond submitted a subpoena to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office demanding Montgomery appear before their common law court.

In another phone call, Beale said he wanted Montgomery "to be intimidated," the indictment says.

In an interview with the Star Tribune last year, Bond said: "We're just a small group trying to wake up the masses. The IRS is not a member of the U.S. government. It is a private collection agency for the Federal Reserve and the International Monetary Fund. "

The four face a maximum of six years in prison on the conspiracy to impede charge and 10 years for the obstruction count.

Beale faces another 10 years in prison for tax evasion. A jury found him guilty after deliberating for less than two hours in May.

Jon Tevlin • 612-673-1702

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