As federal agents conceded they knew of no immediate plans for the Viper Militia to bomb government buildings, defense lawyers said the group posed no threat and was nothing more than a vintage weapons club.

Federal agents testified Monday that with two sources inside the group - including an undercover agent working as the militia's security head - the government knew there were no immediate plans to attack buildings that investigators had said were targeted for destruction."We felt (the agent) had a pretty good handle on the situation," said Steve Ott, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms agent who supervised the investigation. " felt there was absolutely no plan to conduct any bombings of these buildings at that time."

Trying to prove the government had nothing to fear, the defense called federal investigators to the stand who said the government had not issued warnings at the buildings or tightened security.

"How much of a danger can there be if a federal agency knows of a risk and doesn't think it warrants a warning?" lawyer Deborah Williams said outside the courthouse.

View Comments

The testimony came on the second day of a hearing to determine whether militia members accused of plotting to blow up government buildings should remain in jail pending trial. The 12 defendants have all pleaded innocent to conspiracy and bombmaking charges.

The bail hearing was to continue Tuesday.

The government's penetration of the group was so thorough that the undercover agent's bugged apartment was used for meetings and he was considered for a leadership position, but the government rejected that idea, Ott said.

The agent, a law enforcement officer for the state Game and Fish Department, shared an apartment with a militia member who was also providing information to the government, Ott said.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.