Terrorist Organization Profile:
Secret Army Organization

On April 19th, 1972, SAO member William Yakopec smuggled a bomb into the Guild Theater in San Diego and hid it in a ventilation shaft. The bomb detonated shortly after he left, causing moderate damage, but no injuries to theater patrons. Yakopec's motive for attacking the Guild Theater remains unclear.

In 1975, the ACLU submitted a report to the Senate Intelligence Committee alleging that the SAO was directed and funded by the FBI in order to suppress anti-war sentiment and curb criticisms of the Nixon White House. The report also stated that the SAO planned to kidnap and murder protestors of the 1972 Republican National Convention, which was to be held in San Diego before being relocated to Miami Beach. An assassination attempt of Dr. Peter Bohmer, professor at San Diego State University, and Paula Tharp, reporter for the San Diego Street Journal, brought about the arrests of several SAO members who later acknowledge an FBI connection. During the investigation, the gun used in the assassination attempt was found in the home of FBI agent Steven Christiansen, who was subsequently identified as a SAO contact. In 1973, Godfrey, testifying as an FBI informant, claimed he received up to $20,000 in weapons and a $250 per month income from the FBI to recruit new SAO members and provide information to agents. He also testified to the criminal acts of several SAO operatives, including fellow leader Jerry Lynn Davis. Official statements from the FBI claimed no involvement with the SAO, and no agents were prosecuted.

Learn more about these U.S. Department of State classifications:

Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)

Terrorist Exclusion List (TEL)