Back to Search ResultsIncident Summary:
10/28/1996: Two members of the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and Earth Liberation Front (ELF), Jacob Ferguson and Josephine Overaker, were responsible for placing two incendiary devices at the Detroit Ranger Station in the Williamette National Forest in Detroit, Oregon in the United States. One device was lit and placed on the roof of the station, and the second ignited in the back of one of the United States Forest Service (USFS) pickup trucks. The one on the roof failed to detonate, but the arson from the second incendiary caused about $21,500 worth of damage to the ranger station facilities. There were no casualties in the incident. Ferguson and Overtaker also spray-painted graffiti on the trucks and walls of the building with slogans such as “Earth Liberation Front," the anarchist “A,” and “STOP RAPING OUR FORESTS U.S.F.S.” Ferguson and Overtaker were part of a group calling themselves "The Family," which proceeded to commit nearly 20 arson and ecotage attacks over a 6 year period. Upon fear of a life behind bars, Ferguson became a government informant and witness in the case, landing him a sentence of 2 years probation, and as of 2008, Overtaker remained a fugitive being sought by the government after being indicted for her involvement in the crimes.Overview
GTD ID:
199610280012
When:
1996-10-28
Country:
United States
Region:
North America
Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:
Oregon
City:
Detroit
Location Details:
at the Detroit Ranger Station in Williamette National Forest in Detroit, OR
What
| Type of Attack (more) | Facility/Infrastructure Attack |
| Successful Attack? (more) | Yes |
| Target Type: Government (General) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name of Entity | United States Forest Service, Detroit Ranger Station | ||
| Specific Description | building and trucks of the US Forest Service Detroit Ranger Station in Oregon | ||
| Nationality of Target | United States | ||
| Hostages | No |
| Ransom | No |
| Property Damage | Yes |
| Extent of Property Damage | Minor (likely < $1 million) |
| Value of Property Damage | $21,500.00 |
How
| Type | Sub-type |
|---|---|
| Incendiary | Gasoline or Alcohol |
| Weapon Details | |
| two incendiary devices lit with incense sticks | |
| Suicide Attack? | No |
| Part of Multiple Incident? | No |
| Criterion 1 (more) | Yes |
| Criterion 2 (more) | Yes |
| Criterion 3 (more) | Yes |
| Additional Information | Ferguson and Overtaker also spray-painted graffiti on the trucks and walls of the building with slogans such as “Earth Liberation Front," the anarchist “A,” and “STOP RAPING OUR FORESTS U.S.F.S.” Additionally, Elisha Dimatteo gave Ferguson and Overtaker a ride to Detroit and waited in the car while they placed the incendiaries at the station; however, the two never told Dimatteo of the incident, and it appears she was in no way knowingly involved in the actions of ALF or ELF. She was never charged in the incident, but it is unknown if she was a member of either ELF or ALF. Ferguson and Overtaker were part of a group of about 20 members from ELF and ALF, who called themselves "The Family" and committed nearly 20 acts of arson and ecotage over a 6 year period from 1995 through 2001. By 2006, all but four of the perpetrators had been captured for their roles in various incidents, and by 2008, the 16 indicted members had been convicted and sentenced for their crimes. Four remained fugitives, including Overtaker. Ferguson received 2 years probation in exchange for his role as a government informant and key witness. |
Who
| Group Name | Group Sub-name | Claimed Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Liberation Front (ALF) | The Family | No |
| Earth Liberation Front (ELF) | The Family | Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Note left at scene) |
| Number of Perpetrators | 2 |
| Number of Captured Perpetrators | 1 |
| Total Number of Casualties | 0 Fatalities / 0 Injured |
| Total Number of Fatalities | 0 |
| Number of U.S. Fatalities | 0 |
| Number of Perpetrator Fatalities | 0 |
| Total Number of Injured | 0 |
| Number of U.S. Injured | 0 |
| Number of Perpetrators Injured | 0 |
Sources
| Brent L. Smith and Kelly R. Damphousse, " Patterns of precursor behaviors in the life span of a U.S. environmental terrorist group," Criminology & Public Policy, Volume 8, Issue 3, 2009. |
| U.S. Government’s Sentencing Memorandum for CR 06-60069, CR 06-60070, CR 06-60071, CR 06-60078, CR 06-60079, CR 06-60080, CR 06-60120, CR 06-60122, CR 06-60123, CR 06-60124, CR06-60125, and CR 06-60126. U.S. District Court: District of Oregon, Eugene, 2007. |
| William McCall, "Radical 'snitch' in Western arsons gets probation," Associated Press State & Local Wire, June 4, 2008. |
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