APF Founder Has Criminal Background

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By KULR Staff

Story Published: Oct 1, 2009 at 6:11 PM MST

Story Updated: Oct 1, 2009 at 6:11 PM MST

BILLINGS - More questions Wednesday night in Hardin following revelations that American Police Force's founder Michael Hilton owns an extensive criminal record.

It appears Hilton has been involved in several fraud cases and has even spent six years in a California prison.

According to the Associated Press, court documents show that Hilton has $1.1 million dollars worth of outstanding judgments against him. Records indicate Hilton has multiple aliases, and has twice declared bankruptcy.

Fraud cases include luring investors into a fake real estate development project, convincing a couple to give him a silver statue worth $100,000 dollars, and pocketing construction funds.

Hilton landed a six year prison term in 1993 for a dozen counts of grand theft among other charges.

A California doctor who said he was conned by Hilton said he was stunned to learn Hilton was planning a major venture in Montana.

"I didn't even sleep last night because of the memories that it conjured up, he's the reason I had to go bankrupt. I lost my practice, I had some mental issues because of this. He was using up other people's money, mainly mine, and other people, like a Ponzi scheme."

Calls to new APF Spokewoman Becky Shay, Two Rivers Authority Vice President Al Peterson, and Hardin Mayor Ron Adams were not returned.

Monday, Oct 5 at 2:37 PM T. McAdam wrote ...

I wonder how much kick back money was given the powers to be for giving the contract. Maybe and investigation is needed. The other option is the Hardin must have some pigons making decisions with tax dollars. I wonder if Mr. Peterson and Mr Adams has an investiment in APF. My my, the pot thickens.

Friday, Oct 2 at 9:20 AM Timothy Bledsoe wrote ...

People get ready.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 11:06 PM Bil wrote ...

A convected felon in charge of a prison is like having a fox guard the hen house how wrong is this! Criminals from Black Water in charge of Policing the American people.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 6:22 PM Matilda wrote ...

Is it any wonder that this fraudulent, convicted felon, Hilton, is now no where in the vacinity? Even the state of Wyoming has a warrant out for his arrest! And these idiots, Becky Shay, Kelli Smith, Al Peterson, the Two Rivers Board and the Hardin City Council continue to speak highly of this criminal!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 5:15 PM concerned citizen wrote ...

How can this private insecurity firm replace the sheriff's department? Is this legal? KULR can you interview the sheriff and get his take on this. After all he/she is the law in that area.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 4:17 PM unsavory wrote ...

It only takes a single voice to start a revolution. looks like thier is plenty of voices here to take back our state.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 2:42 PM Al wrote ...

Who was it that said”It is not a characteristic of wisdom to do desperate things”? Take note TRA, Al Peterson.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 1:29 PM ratcoc wrote ...

Read the full interview at http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/hardin_offical_on_apf_deal_what_have_we_got_to_los.php?ref=fpblg

Thursday, Oct 1 at 1:29 PM ratcoc wrote ...

Check out Mr. Peterson's response to the charges against Mr Hilton. He was an alcoholic, and everybody knows that," said Peterson of Hilton. "Did he do some not-the-best choices in his personal and professional life when he was not sober? Absolutely. He made some very unwise decisions." But, argued Peterson, that shouldn't be held against him forever. "Hey, he's served his time," Peterson said. "Is the guy not entitled to try to do something with his life from here on out?"

Thursday, Oct 1 at 11:32 AM Wally wrote ...

People, you need to go back in time...who was the hired gun for Two Rivers that brought this illegal concept to Hardin? Can you name this individual?

Thursday, Oct 1 at 11:07 AM da man wrote ...

Suckers are born every day----Hardin does not need any more. They already have lots of them---and they are all smarter than normal suckers--they are educated suckers--the worst kind.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 11:01 AM JOHN Q PUBLIC wrote ...

MAY THE FATHER YAHWEH WATCH OVER US AND SEND HIS SON YAHSHUA THE MESSIAH

Thursday, Oct 1 at 10:57 AM white boy wrote ...

The citizens of Hardin who work hard have nothing to do with this. These two river clowns were not appointed by the people. They use their self appointed authority for personal gain. Don't blame the citizens for all the mess. They work for a living and do not have time for all of this B.S.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 10:38 AM Keep you Freedom wrote ...

Why don't some of you lawyers strap on a set and fiel an official complaint with the MT Attorney General? Violating article 2, section 33 of the Montana State Constitution. Get off yoru butts!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 10:36 AM Concerned in Arizona wrote ...

Just getting wind of whats going on. I know patriots that are willing to get up there and fight. It needs to be organized though.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 10:35 AM Keep your Freedom wrote ...

How about some lawyers strap on a set adn file an official complaint with the Attorney General? You want us lamen folk to do this for you, get off your butts.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 10:35 AM Anonymous wrote ...

APF is a Blackwater front group, check out the media running on this issue.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 10:31 AM Keep your Freedom wrote ...

Drove by Hardin today, some places are barracaded/blocked off. It's like when the President comes to Billings. Feeling sorry for the people of Hardin right now.. They need some help down there.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 10:23 AM Keep you Freedom wrote ...

<> Go there and get treated like a criminal.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 10:20 AM Keep your Freedom wrote ...

WOW, drove by Hardin today, the place is barracaded in some spots. What is this East Germany all over again?> Drive down and see for yourself.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 10:15 AM demarche wrote ...

FBI can't get anything on them...how about impersonating a police officer...what if I put a badge on and went around acting like I am a cop...I'd be in jail lickity split!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:58 AM Willis wrote ...

I'm just glad that my Great-Grandfather is no longer around to see what his beloved state is turning into. It boggles the mind to think that an agency would even consider hiring crooks to run a jail, and that they didn't do basic background checks before going this far. So who's getting a payoff here?

Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:49 AM A. True Ott, PhD, ND Ogden, Utah wrote ...

I have asked Ms. Shay to confirm or deny that AFP is a subsidiary of DynCorp as my sources said. I am still awaiting a response. Perhaps the SECRECY "spin" is that DynCorp may truly be involved in SEX SLAVE TRAFFICKING in Serbia, according to a U.S. Army CID investigation back in 2002. "Captain Michael" Hilton is likely much more than a convicted swindler. It would appear that organized crime has gained a foothold into rural Montana! KUDOS to KULR-8 for exposing the villain.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:41 AM Tim wrote ...

Time to impound these Mercedes (including Becky Shays) and use them to pay back the people this criminal has fleeced.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:32 AM TechiePatriot wrote ...

Now it's time to go ARREST these guys and throw them in thier own jail in harden!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:21 AM 1776blues wrote ...

Matilda I agree with you. Time to get rid of the filth.......not just the APF, the Hardin City Council. Politicians are selling this country off bit by bit and still the masses fsll for these Democrats and Republicans every election year. Time to elect candidates from the Constitution party and not the two-sided one party system; Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich (he just needs to be educated on the 2nd amendment) are the exceptions!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:14 AM 1776blues wrote ...

MS asked can a felon run a police department, hmm lets see.. yes in todays Police state everything is fair game. Now you may recall in New Hampshire that a key executive in the private firm that programs and "counts" 80% of the state's ballots on hackable, error-prone Diebold voting machines is a convicted narcotics trafficker. The government from the Fed on down is mostly criminal and corrupt!

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

GOOD JOB! I'm soooo happy that NBC and AP have outed this company as a fraud. Chalk one up for the good guys. GOOD JOB KULR!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 8:46 AM james_everest wrote ...

KULR - You need to move on this. This Pulitzer stuff. You need to move on this for all of us.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 8:30 AM Keep your Freedom wrote ...

Montana law does not require you to register your firearms. It is voluntary.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 8:26 AM Matilda wrote ...

Now that the Associated Press has uncovered info that this Hilton character is a convicted fraud and a multiple felon, and not even a citizen of the US, isn't it time for somebody with some sense to say enough is enough? Send APF, Kerri Smith, Becky Shay, the Two Rivers Board and the Hardin City Council away on a rail! Please don’t tell citizens of Montana that it is OK your APF contact is a convicted criminal!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 8:18 AM oneborneveryminute wrote ...

P.T. Barnum would be proud.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 8:16 AM Keep your freedom wrote ...

Keep it up and you will find yourselves starting another revolution. Americans are getting tired of the tyranny and corruption. Take up arms and protect your rights!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 7:50 AM Concerned wrote ...

APF is BLACKWATER. http://www.prisonplanet.com/exposed-american-police-force-is-a-blackwater-front-group.html

Thursday, Oct 1 at 7:43 AM Keith wrote ...

I left a link on a previous article stating that these were BAD men and that you need to stand and demand to your reps or whatever that these men are told to leave and leave NOW! There are many patiots ready to stand with you to drive them out.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 6:57 AM Montana sucker wrote ...

The people of Hardin were duped and played for suckers starting with whoever proposed that the small town of Hardin would get rich off a prison. Shame upon the people of Hardin for being so greedy and ignorant. Just think,,what could have been done with all the money you gave up to these crooks. The town could have brought in many good people, but instead cast their lots with swine. A prison,,,,my god people what were you thinking.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 6:54 AM MS wrote ...

Can a convicted felon run a "police" force? I understand it's a "private" company, so how does a private company take over?

Thursday, Oct 1 at 6:53 AM Toaster wrote ...

Where's the Messiah when we need him? Copenhagen?

Thursday, Oct 1 at 6:43 AM clipstein wrote ...

proof hardin learned well from Powell Wyoming.... Any con or scam works in Powell. Can both Mayors, City Councils and managers go to prision with them??????

Thursday, Oct 1 at 6:30 AM John P wrote ...

Oh no, Miss Shay didn't even give notice. I say let the people of Hardin have the jail and the people involved in this scheme can be the first guests there. If hilton didn't use the serb coat of arms and had he toned down the website some, they might have got away with it.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 6:23 AM Montana sucker wrote ...

The people of Hardin need to tar and feather anyone and everyone that has had any dealings whatever with the whole prison thing. And then tear down that disgrace.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 6:22 AM Matilda wrote ...

The time has come! It is time that the citizens of not just Hardin, but all of Montana, stand up and say we don't want you here if you cannot tell us, or will not tell us, who you are! Enough is enough!! You won't tell us where your money comes from or who owns you...this is stupid!_As Montanan’s send APF away on a rail, Kerri Smith, Becky Shay, the Two Rivers Board and the Hardin City Council should all go with them. Shame on them!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 5:37 AM it just figures..... wrote ...

Ok, so Al needs to step down, the mayor should be recalled and this clown from APF should spend some quality time in one of our prisons for fraud. Now can we put APF garbage to rest, seeing its another pie in the sky, fly by night fraud company?..lmao

Thursday, Oct 1 at 4:11 AM A Free Man wrote ...

Hardin officials along with the MT gov. will allow a private international entity to dictate the rule of law, patrol the streets and strip citizens of the state of montana of their constitutional rights? And answer to what court?

Thursday, Oct 1 at 2:53 AM Pancho wrote ...

There's nothing "canny" about the Two Rivers Authority, nor is there about virtually any small town industrial development authority/public facilities corporation, etc., that you could find in the U.S. There have been many small towns that have been fleeced by these for-profit prison outfits, including CEC/CiviGenics, the one that did this to Hardin, starting four years ago. Bottom line is, should Hardin continue to trust school superintendent Peterson or City/TRA attorney Convery now?

Thursday, Oct 1 at 2:36 AM Jim Kelly wrote ...

lol, Hardin Officials: Dumb and Dumber They've been had. They're a disgrace to small towns across America. Just drive into town in Mercedes SUV's (Serbians hate American cars) and make a few promises and they'll agree to anything.

Thursday, Oct 1 at 12:45 AM Aaron wrote ...

Excuse me! Where was Homeland Security on this? This should be National News!

Thursday, Oct 1 at 12:17 AM Chris wrote ...

Amazing that after all the scandals in Iraq, that people are still so easily duped when they think they might make some money. Hilton's SUV's said "Hardin Police Force"--who better to investigate "future" crimes adn to be "on patrol" in Hardin, Montana! Montana is one of those states where wolves are permitted to roam, right?

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 11:24 PM Dave Bovee wrote ...

No, really? I'm shocked, shocked!, I tell you! Gosh, these local EDA's have always been so canny. How could they fall for a con job? And in Hardin!

Wednesday, Sep 30 at 11:23 PM JMartin wrote ...

LOL! I hope Becky Shay left the Gazette on good terms...I have a feeling she'll soon be seeking employment elsewhere.

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