A SLAPP style accusation using criminal courts against me, what can I do?

[bercnan72]

Last spring I was deeply involved in setting up a 100% legal boycott of Koch Industries. I was still involved and helping spread it in July when the FBI raided my apartment, saying I had been involved in some absurd illegal action I had nothing to do with, the only "evidence" listed an accusation by Koch industries that was not checked or verified in any way.

They took every communications device I had (and my girlfriends, who hadn't even been with me at the time the boycott started), which effectively shut me up for months. It has been roughly 8 months since the raid and NO charges have been pressed.

However, talking to an agent at the FBI, I was informed that pretty much no matter whether they find evidence or not they will find some way to try to prosecute me and plea out to absolve the accusing organization, which donates millions to them every year. If that happens, I lose everything, my college scholarships, everything, and it puts me in a position of not being able to have the means to pay off my debt or give my fiancé and child a good life.

The ACLU already declined me, the papers helped a little, and because I'm poor no law firms will even respond to me. What can I do to prevent the people who took so much from me from taking even more? What are my options? How can I get the case/warrant reversed and end this non-sense before something like the FBI arresting me right before finals happens? Please.

[kendrix]

Find a lawyer who wants the attention. Or a politician. Heck, call Rand Paul, see if he'll stick up for the little guy for once.

[demarco]

Chris:

You didn't mention they believe you're a member of the Anonymous hacker group. The FBI presented an affidavit to a judge to get the warrant. That paper must have enough in it that he has concluded that evidence of the crime MAY be found at your residence. Federal judges do not take search warrant applications lightly.

The U.S. Attorney's office will present the case to a grand jury (after you have received your target letter). It usually takes months before it's turned over to a GJ, and they will not do it in your case until the lab has had the time to go through all of the digital stuff they seized from you.

I'm no fan of the Koch boys— so good luck. I think you'll need it, especially if there is something on one of your devices that points at you.

They can't charge you without evidence (and they won't). The one caveat is this: If you lie to them, and they can prove it, you will be charged with that act and it's a felony.

[modraed]

Chris:

You didn't mention they believe you're a member of the Anonymous hacker group. The FBI presented an affidavit to a judge to get the warrant. That paper must have enough in it that he has concluded that evidence of the crime MAY be found at your residence. Federal judges do not take search warrant applications lightly.

The U.S. Attorney's office will present the case to a grand jury (after you have received your target letter). It usually takes months before it's turned over to a GJ, and they will not do it in your case until the lab has had the time to go through all of the digital stuff they seized from you.

I'm no fan of the Koch boys— so good luck. I think you'll need it, especially if there is something on one of your devices that points at you.

They can't charge you without evidence (and they won't). The one caveat is this: If you lie to them, and they can prove it, you will be charged with that act and it's a felony.