Drug War Waco on FBI Chief Mueller's First Day in Office
                                              Forfeiture Stand-Off Ends in Two Deaths

by Ellen Komp, anti-Drug War activist, 09/05/01

Grover T. "Tom" Crosslin, 47, who owned Rainbow Farm campground in Newberg Township, Michigan, was shot and killed by an FBI "observer" on Monday, September 3 after a four-day standoff at the campground. One day later, Crosslin's roommate Rolland Eugene Rohm, 28, was fatally shot at the property by a Michigan State Police officer. Both men allegedly aimed guns at the law enforcement agents who shot them.

According to news reports from local papers and the Associated Press, the situation began Friday when deputies went to the farm after neighbors said Crosslin was burning buildings on his property, which is the target of civil forfeiture proceedings. The fires "were set by Crosslin - not law enforcement," a statement earlier Monday expressing hope for a peaceful resolution said. "It should be noted forfeiture proceedings for this property had previously been initiated in May 2001 and Crosslin was aware of the fact he was in the process of losing Rainbow Farm," the statement said.

"This drug war isn't a metaphor anymore. They're killing us now for resisting them," said attorney Brenda Grantland, President of the Board of Directors of FEAR (Forfeiture Endangers Americans Rights, http://www.fear.org.)

Authorities arrested Crosslin and five others in May after a two-year investigation into allegations of marijuana use at the 34-acre campground. A court order issued in June prohibited Crosslin from having festival gatherings at the farm, whose Web site says it ''supports the medical, spiritual and responsible recreational uses of marijuana for a more sane and compassionate America.'' Police allege he violated the order by holding a festival August 17-18, which prompted the bond hearing.

Crosslin, owner of Rainbow Farm since 1993, had been charged in May with manufacturing marijuana, more than 200 plants, a 15-year felony; maintaining a drug house, a two-year misdemeanor; and felony firearm, a five-year felony. Rohm was charged with manufacturing marijuana, maintaining a drug house and felony firearm.

Crosslin was scheduled to appear in court Friday for a hearing to revoke his $150,000 bond. But instead he skipped the hearing and then allegedly set fire to buildings on his property, which he had stood to lose under the state's Drug Forfeiture Act. Police said an anonymous telephone caller told them the fires were set "to ambush law enforcement officers when they arrived in response to the fire.''

It's believed Crosslin or Rohm fired shots at three aircraft that flew over the property. One of the aircraft, a helicopter used by WNDU-TV, Channel 16, South Bend, was damaged.

The FBI had joined Cass County Sheriff's deputies and Michigan State Police on Sunday. On Monday, Crosslin had federal charges levied against him, resulting in the dispatch of FBI agents and a federal warrant against Crosslin on charges of attempted destruction of an aircraft and using a firearm to commit a felony. He was facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted of those.

Rohm's stepfather, John Livermore, said he and Rohm's mother drove all night from Tennessee to try to help police negotiate, but were never allowed to speak to Rohm, who Livermore said has a learning disability. Livermore said he believes Rohm left the house because he thought police were going to allow him to see his 12-year-old son, Robert. The boy had been taken from the campground and put into foster care by the Family Independence Agency after the drug arrests in May, according to Crosslin's attorney Dori Leo.

Early Tuesday, Rohm had said he would surrender at 7 a.m. if his son were brought to see him, Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood, Jr. said. The sheriff said police were in the process of granting the request when shortly after 6 a.m., a fire was reported at the compound. Rohm was then seen leaving the residence with a long gun and walking into the yard, Underwood said. That's when the confrontation with police took place.

Buzz Daily, 44, a Cass County farmer, said Crosslin and Rohm were known for their generosity. At Christmas, he said, they would drive their pickup truck into Vandalia and distribute gifts throughout the town of about 350 residents. They also would buy food and clothes for people staying at the campground, he said.

Daily also lashed out at police, saying he could not imagine Crosslin or Rohm brandishing a weapon. "I'm surprised that with all the money (police) put into this, they didn't have any non-lethal means of resolving this," said Daily, who said he'd known the pair for about five years and attended several HempAid festivals at the campground.

Daily and others said they weren't sure what would happen to Rainbow Farm. But he urged those who support forfeiture reform or marijuana legalization to come to the funerals for Crosslin and Rohm. Funeral arrangements had not been determined on Tuesday afternoon, Rohm's family said.

Vandalia is about 30 miles northeast of South Bend, Ind., in southwest Michigan. A historical marker in the town park describes Vandalia as a one-time junction on the Underground Railroad. Slaves escaping through Illinois and Indiana were taken in by local Quakers, who guided the slaves east into Canada.

The campground, at 59896 Pemberton Road in Newberg Township, includes shower and bathroom facilities, a coffee bar called The Joint and a hemp-themed gift shop. Each year it hosts two festivals called HempAid and RoachRoast, according to the Web site http://www.rainbowfarmcampground.com/.

This story was culled from several news accounts available at http://www.mapinc.org.