Possible A.L.F. Grand Jury Investigation: Iowa

University of Iowa Labs Raided

On Tuesday, October 13th, a Minneapolis woman was pulled over by a black SUV and served a grand jury subpoena. It is not yet known what the grand jury is investigating, but evidence points to their interest being an incident in Iowa in 2004. A review of all A.L.F. / E.L.F. actions show that during the period in question, the A.L.F. raided the University of Iowa psychology building, liberating 401 animals and doing nearly $500,000 damage to the labs.

The subpoena can be viewed here.

Grand juries are convened for the sole purpose of investigating a crime, indicting someone for the crime, and sending them to prison.

Statute of Limitations Looming

If the grand jury does relate to the University of Iowa raid, it is a move of desperation. The raid took place on November 14th, 2004. That means exactly 30 days from the time of this writing, the federal statute of limitations will expire, and (with certain limited exceptions) it will be impossible to prosecute anyone for the action. If this GJ is in fact investigating the U of I raid, it is their last desperate attempt to put in prison those anonymous activists who have 401 animals a second chance of life.

The FBI has displayed a similar pattern in past Animal Liberation Front investigations. One month before the statute of limitations was to expire for the University of Minnesota raid (1999) in which 116 animals were liberated, and as much as $4 million damage done to the labs, the FBI made a last minute flurry of home visits attempting to interview older activists in the area.

Statement from Minnesota Activist

Below is the statement from the woman served with the Iowa subpoena:

“Shortly after leaving my house today at 5:00, I was pulled over by an unmarked black SUV, and approached by two FBI agents from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They served me a subpoena to appear before a federal grand jury in Davenport, Iowa on Thursday, October 15th. They identified themselves as Tom Reinwart and Melissa Henderson, and gave the Cedar Rapids, Iowa FBI office as their contact information (Phone number 319-366-2461). I was also notified recently that a federal agent had contacted my high school with a subpoena for my attendance records from 2004, presumably in relation to the same event. While it is still unclear what the grand jury is investigating, our basic internet research has found that there were some acts of animal rights vandalism in Iowa during the time period in question.”

So far, only one person is known to have been subpoenaed.

If you have been subpoenaed to this grand jury, or know someone who has, please call the National Lawyer’s Guild “Green Scare Hotline”: (888) NLG-ECOL (888-654-3265) immediately.

View the University of Iowa liberation video (edited).