Federal agents say that they found evidence of marijuana and cocaine, as well as clippers and scissors during a raid on the compound of the Amish beard-cutting suspects, now charged with hate crimes.
In a bail hearing on Wednesday, prosecutors reportedly introduced video evidence that included evidence of drug use, sex and the information related to the attacks.
Last week, federal officials conducted a raid on a compound of leader Sam Mullet’s breakaway Bergholz Clan in Ohio, arresting Mullet and six others. All seven were charged with violating the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and are accused of breaking into the homes of mainstream Amish, and cutting off their hair and beards. In the Amish community, the beard is a symbol of faith.
In the hearing, officials accused Sam Mullet of orchestrating the attacks. ONN TV and WTOV9 report that in the hearing, the lead FBI agent on the case told the court that during the raid, they found Mullet in a bedroom with the wife of one of his fellow defendants doing ‘sexual counseling.” Agents also reportedly found scissors and clippers, and marijuana seeds and cocaine in a barn on the compound.
Another one of the defendants, Emanuel Schrock, barricaded himself in a room with a child when agents attempted to arrest him, according to the agent.
Sam Mullet, his two sons and Schrock were all denied bail in the hearing. ”I consider these violent acts,” said Magistrate Judge George Limbert. ”They are a danger to the Amish community. I don’t consider them a threat outside the Amish community.”
”It appears to me that Sam Mullet has absolute control of the community,” Limbert added, the Warren Tribune Chronicle reports.
The other three arrested in the raid will appear before a judge on Friday.
Disqus Conversations
Click here to read the Disqus Commenting FAQ.