Colonel accused of Bush vandalism
DENVER (AP) — An Air Force Reserve colonel could face criminal charges for allegedly vandalizing cars at Denver International Airport bearing pro-Bush bumper stickers.
Lt. Col. Alexis Fecteau, director of operations for reserve forces at the National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs, is believed responsible for defacing at least 10 parked vehicles between December and June, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Tuesday.
A bait car left by a police detective was also defaced and the detective tracked down Fecteau, who turned himself in Friday. He was released on bond.
A message left for a man of the same name in Colorado Springs wasn’t immediately returned.
Jackson said Fecteau is suspected of blacking out the Bush bumper stickers and then spray painting an expletive and the president’s name on the vehicles.
Fecteau supervises 11 full-time and 30 part-time reservists at the institute, which is part of the Space Warfare Center at Schriever Air Force Base, said base spokesman Staff Sgt. Donald Branum.
The bait vehicle was equipped with a camera that captured an image of the suspect and his car. Then a detective was able to find footage from a camera monitoring cars leaving the parking lot and traced Fecteau using the car’s license plate, Jackson said.
Police have referred the case to prosecutors, who are considering filing criminal charges, he said.
― M. V. (M.V.), Wednesday, 10 August 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)
Looks like even some people on the inside don't like the restarted Star Wars program
― kingfish (Kingfish), Wednesday, 10 August 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)
I think this kind of petty sabotage could be motivated by the urge to be caught & punished (fired). It's an easier way out than applying for a transfer, I guess.
― elmo (allocryptic), Wednesday, 10 August 2005 17:22 (twenty years ago)
Am I wrong in thinking this guy will get Leavenworth instead of fired because of anti-Bush sentiment?
― Truckdrivin' Buddha (Rock Hardy), Wednesday, 10 August 2005 18:26 (twenty years ago)
I'm surprised that I haven't heard of anyone stealing all of the magnetic yellow ribbons in a parking lot and placing them on a Bush '04 SUV. You'd think a photograph like that would've showed up on eBaum by now.
― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Wednesday, 10 August 2005 18:29 (twenty years ago)
He hasn't actually committed a military crime, he's vandalized privately owned vehicles and a police bait car. Therefore he won't receive courts martial, he'll just see the county courthouse, and that's that. Most likely a fine and community service.
What relevance his reservist military rank has anything to do with this story I'm not sure, from the way it's written. Technically you're not supposed to state preference or go out and do things like protest etc. while on active duty, but reservists can generally just do as they damn well please.
― TOMBOT, Wednesday, 10 August 2005 18:32 (twenty years ago)
Mods, please change title to "Colonel Panic."
― M. V. (M.V.), Thursday, 11 August 2005 09:16 (twenty years ago)