Nobody Released on $20K Bail, Not Allowed to Speak Publicly

Nobody is out on bail!

Nobody is out on bail!

Nearly six months after his arrest in an insanely destructive 6am raid back in March, longtime Free Keene blogger Nobody has finally been granted bail. The judge in his case suggested that Nobody, who changed his name from Rich Paul to run for Mayor in 2019 then Governor in 2020, was being held illegally.

As was the case with my bail conditions, the federal “magistrate judge” denied Nobody’s bail initially and the defense had to appeal that “de novo” to the actual judge in the case, Joseph Normand Laplante. Laplante also happens to be the chief judge for the entire Federal District Church Court. Thus far Laplante has been much more reasonable than the magistrates, though the bail restrictions on the Crypto Six have varied wildly.

For instance, Aria DiMezzo is highly restricted on what websites she can visit and must ask permission from her probation officer to go to any sites that are outside her limited “whitelist”. However she has no restrictions on drug use. In contrast, I am able to go to any website except for sites for buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrency, am on home confinement, and am subject to random drug testing. I am allowed to use alcohol, though I prefer not to.

No co-defendants are allowed to speak with each other, though after filing motions with the court to remove the contact restriction between us, Aria and I were granted an exception by Laplante for the purposes of being able to perform and run our nationally syndicated radio show, “Free Talk Live“. I have a long list of people in addition to my co-defendants with whom I am prohibited from speaking. This includes my longtime co-host and co-minister in the Shire Free Church, Mark Edgington. As part of his bail, Nobody is also prohibited from speaking with the same list of people. Aria has no such restriction.

BEARCAT

The BEARCAT bashed in Nobody’s front door.

At the de novo bail hearing, unlike the magistrate, Laplante didn’t seem concerned with Nobody’s statements on the recorded jail phone that seemed to be in favor of shooting police. He agreed with the defense that Nobody’s comments were just blowing off steam as Nobody was frustrated by the outrageous arrest and subsequent caging. Despite Laplante’s voiced opinion about Nobody’s lack of dangerousness, in a frustrating concession to the prosecution, he has restricted Nobody’s freedom of speech and prohibited him from making any public statements on media or at protest events. Here’s the relevant portion from page six of Nobody’s bail conditions:

  • Defendant shall refrain from the use of any social media platform to make any publicly viewable posts…
  • Defendant shall refrain from public speaking engagements on radio, television, or podcasts, and shall also refrain from “taking the mic” at public rallies or public events.

Federal Church Concord

Federal District Church Court

It was stated during the bail hearing that the concern was not that Nobody himself would commit violence but that he might influence listeners or followers to do so. So now he has no freedom of speech. This despite an accused person supposedly being allowed to be “at liberty” prior to trial. Does the first amendment not apply to people on bail? Strangely, he had more free speech inside the cage at the Merrimack County Spiritual Retreat where he was held the last several months. Nobody could, and did, call in to Free Talk Live on more than one occasion – so long as Aria or I were not on the show. Now he is specifically prohibited from any audio or tv appearances. He had also, while in jail, begun a newsletter for his church. Will he even be able to continue it?

Arguably, the restrictions as-written don’t prohibit his newsletter or perhaps even blogging. However I wouldn’t blame him if he chose not to rather than risk a post to Free Keene being considered “social media”, violating bail and getting locked back up.  Hopefully his attorneys will be fighting to get his right to free speech respected again.  On the positive side, he’s not restricted on travel and can leave his home without permission from his federal handler.

So much for freedom of speech. That said, I’m glad Nobody’s finally out.

Stay tuned here to Free Keene and listen to Free Talk Live for the latest on Nobody and the rest of the Crypto Six.

Rochelle Kelley Found Not Guilty for COVID Playground Arrest – Full Trial Video

Heroic mom Rochelle Kelley went to trial today and faced up to a year in jail after her arrest for daring to bring her kids to a Concord, NH playground in April of 2020 while the playground was closed due to “governor’s orders”. The courtroom was full of supporters and after the pathetic cops testified, the robed man actually found her not guilty! This is the full trial video, only available here on our Odysee channel:

How Will Mother-Targeted-by-Playground-Police Play Out?

I took my children to the playground in April 2020 and got charged with disorderly conduct & criminal trespassing. My trial is August 11, 9am @ Concord District Court (32 Clinton St. Concord, NH). Show up (early if possible) to show your support, with or without signs. The more people the better! – Rochelle Kelley

What: Legaland trial for Rochelle Kelley
When: 9am, Wednesday, August 11th, 2021
Where: Concord District Court, 32 Clinton St., Concord, NH 03302 [map]

UPDATE August 11, 2021: Rochelle Kelley Found Not Guilty for COVID Playground Arrest – Full Trial Video

A bit of backstory and relevant links are below. What this boils down to is that Kelley and others involved questioned the aggressors and refused to cower. This of course is blasphemous to those who demand obedience.

Will justice emerge?

Text on the Concord Police outfit’s website claims that “Our department strives to develop strong relationships with our citizens…” If that were true the initial harassment of Kelley and others would not have occurred, the ongoing legaland threats against them would cease, and in the least an apology would be given. But instead, Stevens and his accomplice have yet to make right. Further, their colleague John Thomas has only dug in his heels.

In an interview with WMUR Thomas made clear the real cause for the ongoing harassment of Kelley, saying they had “No respect to the officers. It was very saddening to see how these folks carried themselves in front of their children in how they spoke to the officers that day.” Personally, I think it’s saddening to see how Thomas and his accomplice acted. What sort of world are they constructing? What sort of world are they apparently satisfied to leave the next generation?

The person who will oversee Kelley’s legaland proceedings is Edwin W. Kelly. His track record seems to indicate a person who’s not too fond of transparency. But, people can change. Let’s hope Kelly does the right thing and chooses to side with the law. (And by “law” I don’t mean legalese, but with the actual law, where a victim must exist before another is held to task.)

The court of public opinion is powerful. Your presence at this legaland hearing may help sway Kelly to do the right thing. If however, Kelly chooses to side with injustice he’ll only succeed in lessening the clout people grant to him and others responsible for these rights-violations. Either way, Kelley will have stood up for what she knows to be right.

(more…)

Ross Ulbricht Speaks Truth to Power

For the first time since being caged, Ross Ulbricht — no stranger to readers of FreeKeene.com — candidly, and powerfully spoke out. In this 25-minute audio recording he:

  • details his motivation for creating the Silk Road and his subsequent character assassination and caging
  • implores his captors to act not with contempt but compassion
  • shares his excitement about the liberating impact of decentralized cryptocurrency for individuals & humanity

(more…)

BREAKING: Ian Freeman Granted Bail

Bitcoin Cast Interviews Ian Freeman

Ian Freeman

Almost two months after his arrest by the FBI regarding cryptocurrency related charges, host of Free Talk Live Ian Freeman has been granted bail.

The decision came after a half hour zoom hearing before Judge Joseph Laplante. When discussing the matter of cash bail, the prosecution had originally suggested $200,000 but alleged that Freeman could have millions of dollars in hidden assets. Judge Laplante stated that he did not want to be a vehicle for discovery for either side and eventually set cash bail at $200,000 but allowed for the Shire Free Church to put up two properties as collateral to insure that Freeman doesn’t flee.

Freeman’s defense attorney Mark Sisti mentioned that New Hampshire is suffering a shortage of bail bondsmen and that it was not a likely option for Freeman.

During the hearing Judge Laplante spoke directly to Freeman and spoke plainly, saying that he was accused of a “white collar crime” and isn’t a violent danger to his community. Laplante stated that he agreed with the Magistrate’s decision to deny Freeman bail but now he believes that Freeman will not be difficult to monitor, and added: “the leash is going to be short”.

“Don’t be tempted to test US probation by pushing the edge of the envelop,” Judge Laplante said to Freeman regarding continuing his cryptocurrency trading business after release.

Judge Laplante also stressed how the conditions aren’t set up for Freeman to fail but rather to make sure he makes it to his 2022 court date.

One “deal breaking” condition of the release is that all of the firearms in the building Freeman will be living in must be removed for the safety of the probation officer.

The prosecution had no objections nor did Freeman and Judge Laplante said he suspects the orders would be ready by tomorrow.

Story written by Vincent Moore. Posted with permission. Original source: https://vincentmoore.substack.com/p/breaking-ian-freeman-granted-bail

Free Talk Live Raided Again

This past Tuesday new mover Bonnie got fully initiated into the community with her first FBI raid. It was 6 am, and her roommate was yelling “get down stairs” and the whole house was loud. She grabs a robe and Coconut, her dog. She does not have time to grab her glasses. A rifle held by an FBI agent was pointing into the now broken window as Coconut, not accustomed to this type of chaos, runs out the broken down door. Bonnie is instructed NOT to take time to put her robe on before coming down stairs. They are ordered outside by the FBI agent. Bonnie is naked, as instructed by the FBI agent, and tries to put her robe on. The agent insists she comes out now and naked, until Ian objects “she’s naked; what are we going to do about this?” She is then graced with the highest kindness the Federal Government can provide- permission to put on a towel type robe before walking into the New Hampshire cold. Records show it would have been just under 20 degrees at the time. Ian had a robe and slippers on.

(more…)