APF & Hardin Constitution Violations

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By Nick Lough

BILLINGS - A Livingston state representative is questioning whether Hardin officials and American Police Force have violated the Montana constitution.

Representative Robert Ebinger says he became aware of the situation after Cascade and Park County law enforcement officials came to him asking questions about APF.

"Well right now I'm confused," said Ebinger and that confusion led the representative to ask for action Tuesday when the Law and Justice Committee met in Helena.

"My suggestion was for them to come to our December 18th meeting," said Ebinger. The committee decided that wasn't necessary and instead will be sending a letter to Hardin officials looking for answers.

"There are all types of different rumors floating around and it doesn't seem like there's enough answers for the public and the state," said Ebinger. But the lack of information isn't the only thing concerning Ebinger. He says recent APF activity may also have violated article 2 section 33 of the Montana Constitution Titled Importation of Armed Persons.

"No armed person or persons or body of men shall be brought into the state for the presentation of the peace or the suppression of domestic violence unless the application of the legislature or of the governor when the legislature cannot be convened," said Ebinger while reading the constitution word for word.

Ebinger isn't certain APF or the city of Hardin's actions have violated any laws yet but he believes with so much mystery surrounding the situation somebody needs to get involved.

"They talk about people being able to come in at a moments notice to put forces together and I think if we're having statements like that made we should figure out who these people are what the deal is over there in Hardin," said Ebinger.

On Wednesday, the FBI told KULR-8 they are aware of the situation in Hardin, but they have no further comment on whether they're looking into it. They released a statement saying the FBI never confirms or denies investigations.

Friday, Oct 9 at 8:21 AM Matilda wrote ...

In 10/09/2009 Gazette, it is reported that, IN FACT, there is a written agreement between Two River and American Police Force for APF to provide a Police Force in Hardin. The Gazette had to sue Two Rivers to get it! So, while we all thought the Two Rivers Board, the Hardin Mayor and City Council were just inept…it NOW turns out they were being purposely deceptive and lying to the citizens, the Press, the MT Atty General…that is why they refused to turn over the last 2 pages of the contract.

Thursday, Oct 8 at 5:45 PM Concerned Citizen wrote ...

The American Police Force, that mysterious security company that just took over an empty jail in Hardin, Montana, is looking shadier than ever. Since yesterday, details have been emerging about the background of the man behind APF -- a California-based grifter, who has said he's a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Montenegro, and uses the name Michael Hilton. Over the years, Hilton has served jail time for fraud, and had a string of arrests and other run-ins with the law. Based on

Sunday, Oct 4 at 8:49 PM AMERICAN wrote ...

I think a lot of us are a little paranoid due to the fact of everything that has been going on in the government. Hilton or what ever his real name is certainly has a lot of guts or he has a diabolical mind to say the least. I have a question..is he an American and was he born on American soil? So many people aren't these days and say they were!

Sunday, Oct 4 at 8:21 AM MyDataProject wrote ...

Well well well, this story just gets weirder by the HOUR. People, please keep copies of the website, it changes almost daily. Anyone notice its now called "American Private Police Force"? No more flag of Serbia either :-) WAKE UP FOLKS

Sunday, Oct 4 at 2:18 AM Warfighter wrote ...

People..WAKE UP!! Mr. Hilton/Dokovich, or whatever his name is..CLEARLY has a CRIMINAL RECORD, and I'm told was SOVIET SPETZNAZ as well! Not only a CRIMINAL, but also a ruthless, highly trained and efficient KILLER! Is THIS the kind of outfit any town wants "policing " them?? The guy's a FRAUD, his crew are FOREIGN MERCS, and they need to STOMP ON THIS, before Obama implements this kind of SH*T nationwide! Then there REALLY WILL be a well justified revolt!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:26 PM Sheepish wrote ...

They're from the Government, they're there to help =) Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Montana is famous for sheep! Time to prove them wrong...

Thursday, Oct 1 at 8:26 PM truth911er wrote ...

the jail is for YOU Montanans. Beta testing for total Martial Law. 2nd American Revolution in 2012. Prepare. FBI controlled ops.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 4:23 PM wdw wrote ...

SMILE! YOU'RE ON CANDID CAMERA!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 2:00 PM IIIMAFVET wrote ...

All you needed to know! Sounds like someone's been had!http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/central/view.bg?articleid=1201484

Thursday, Oct 1 at 1:11 PM matrix watcher wrote ...

Com'on out of hiding mr sheriff and do your job. Or quit and let a man do it!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 11:03 AM Ricoyung wrote ...

Do some research folks, APF is Blackwater or XE same scumbags.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:54 AM Pissed Off wrote ...

This is absolutely the most insane idea to let the APF come in and take authority. The founder has a criminal background? Oh great! Let's make him our mayor too!!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:02 AM Keep your Freedom wrote ...

Okay, City of Hardin opted to NOT renew it's contract with the Big Horn County Sherriffs. That leaves Hardin to form it's own Police Force. Why is the American Police Force there? are they the new Sherriff's in town, scary thought

Thursday, Oct 1 at 8:55 AM willie wrote ...

why all the secrecy? why cant americans know who is policing them? for all we know osama bin laden is funding it because they will not disclose anything. even a small town police dept will not want a fraud or felon enforcing laws, thats a conflict of interest. i will bear arms and fight if anyone trys to force a militia style of police state. that is my constitutional right. we have the right to alter or abolish a government that is corrupt. why does the obama administration allow this to be?

Thursday, Oct 1 at 8:48 AM willie wrote ...

this is another small chip out of the founfation that the usa was built upon. if they are legit why all the secrecy? why cant we know whose money is backibng this? it could be communists we dont know because they are hiding all the answers. i will bear arms and fight

Thursday, Oct 1 at 8:14 AM Ryan wrote ...

You do not want, as neighbors, paramilitary troops from foreign war zones. You do not want them pulling you over at night on a dark street. And you want the police to have some kind of accountability to someone. Read about Blackwater in New Orleans after Katrina. Then think about what kind of world you want to live in. The last thing america needs right now are foreign sheriffs decided what the law is without due process. amazingly terrifying if you think about them patrolling the street

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 10:55 PM MontanaResident wrote ...

Maybe Becky Shay can answer these pressing questions about the new 'Hardin Police Force' 1. Is it lawful to impersonate a police officer? If not when will charges be brought against APF? 1. Were armed persons brought into the state for the presentation of the peace without the application of the legislature or of the governor? Hunny I hope you got an airtight contract with a severance package paid up front.

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 10:10 PM Here Again wrote ...

Micheal Hilton may be a Serbian who has a grudge against America, and may be with a paramilitary force. There is a Mohamad somebody in California who he may be related to who is sponsoring (parent company) APF. I saw this on a website.

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 10:09 PM warriorlou wrote ...

NEED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM APF 1.DO YOU HAVE BASE HEADQUARTERS SUCH AS CITY AND STATE? 2. WHAT IS YOUR DATE OF ORIGINATION? 3. WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY GOAL OR OBJECTIVE ? 4. WHO ARE YOUR FOUNDERS OR HEADS OF YOUR OPERATIONS? 5. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU EXIST - IF THE UNITED STATES ALREADY HAS ARMED SERVICES? 6. IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN POLICE WORK INTERNATIONALLY - WHAT REGULATORY AGENCY DO YOU OPERATE UNDER, AND DOES IT REQUIRE CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL? 7. SURREAL

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 9:35 PM Smart and Anonymous wrote ...

This APF outfit is a complete bag of CRAP. this guy is a fraud and his flashy rental rigs don't fool me. That being said, the Dumb A**es in Hardin need to quit grabbing at POOP out of complete desperation and find a solution to their problem...Oh and where the Hell is Greg Smith. come out come out whereever you are

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 9:33 PM Again wrote ...

Micheal Hilton's real serbian name is Miodrag Dokovich.

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 9:29 PM East.Mt. wrote ...

The paranoia is out of hand. Hilton, or whatever his alias d'jour is, should do something to sooth suspicions because as it is now, there's just more and more fuel coming to surface.

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 9:11 PM Aware wrote ...

APF is a paramilitary force possibly from Serbia as seen by their logo on the cars before they were removed. Their website, http:// www.dpsna.com is in Portugal. It is my opinion the person named "Anonymous" in this current posting is one of them. Furthermore, here is a site explaining their parent company and other info http:// www.crushingchris.com/blog/? tag=american-police-force . The fbi and any Sheriffs offices should be investigating them.

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 8:59 PM Only Me wrote ...

We have now entered the twilight zone!

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 8:49 PM Barbara wrote ...

Does the town of Hardin and the jail sit on reservation land, if so the state and county have no say. Maybe someone needs to look at a map and if this is indian ground, someone needs to speak to the tribal leaders to see what they know. Putting Fema camps on indian ground is brilliant on their part, because the constitution doesn't apply here.

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 8:25 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I think they just need to let it go. This jail/prison was built and sits vacant and now someone wants to use it now they're freaking out. They should put it to use and if the state has anything to say, what about the "new" prison they want to build. Why not use the one that was already available? Because its in Hardin? Wake up people they could use it down there.

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 7:45 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Montana doesn't need to import anymore crime/criminals or the like into the state....and WE should have the power to deny any and all of it. They should have to answer any questions asked and quit lying/hiding the truth.....Do You feel Safe? Montanans will be packing sidearms openly soon, to protect themselves and those they care about...then what?

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 7:42 PM Interested Party wrote ...

Montana does not need a bunch of black op mercenaries running around impersonating police. These guys show such bad judgment that this deal is already q***red.

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 7:37 PM Adams/Kansas wrote ...

I don't think they violated Montana's constitution. I called the Governor's office yesterday and his rep denied anything out of the ordinary was going on in Hardin so if I interpret that right, they got his permission. I admired Montana's stand on their 10th amendment rights concerning firearms. Where are all those patriots now?! PLEASE,for the sake of all U.S. citizens, STOMP ON THIS THING!!!

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 7:01 PM Anonymous wrote ...

ahh heck leave em alone. hardin needs this and the state needs to quit screwing them over. The state set them up with an unfillable jail and the state needs to let hardin make something of it.

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 6:57 PM sadie wrote ...

This whole matter should be stopped and stopped now. These people cannot just move in and take over a whole town. Where is the sheriff. He has the authority to stop this in its tracks.

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