Carol Howe
Carol Howe | |
---|---|
File:CarolHoweInformant.jpg Carol Elizabeth Howe | |
Nationality | American |
Other names | Freya[1], Lady MacBeth, CI-183, Confidential Informant 53270-183, |
Known for | Former ATF informant, Oklahoma City bombing conspiracy theories |
Carol Elizabeth Howe[1][2] was a former informant for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Howe became a key figure in Oklahoma City bombing conspiracy theories following her claim that she informed authorities of a right-wing extremist plan to blow up a federal building in Oklahoma a few months before the Oklahoma City bombing.[3][4][5]
Early life
Howe was adopted at birth by a wealthy family in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[6] According to White Aryan Resistance member Dennis Mahon, Howe wrote to him in 1993 with an alleged interest in joining his group.[7][4]
According to Howe however, she became involved with white supremacists in 1994 after allegedly being injured by a group of African-American men.[6] According to Howe's lawyer, Howe then called Dial-A-Racist,[8] a local hotline operated by Mahon.[1]
During her time as a white-separatist, she obtained a swastika tattoo on her shoulder and an Iron Cross on her leg.[6]
Time at Elohim City
In 1994, Mahon began taking Howe to the white-separatist enclave in Elohim City, Oklahoma.[1][6]
In August 1994, Carol Howe filed a restraining order against Dennis Mahon. This attracted her the attention of the ATF, who were already investigating Mahon's radical paramilitary group, W.A.R., for suspected violation of federal firearms and conspiracy laws. [9]
ATF informant and Oklahoma City bombing
Howe served as an ATF informant, going by the code number CI-183. Agent Angela Finley-Graham was her ATF handler. [1]
Howe testified that she saw Timothy McVeigh in Elohim City in July 1994 with Andreas Carl Strassmeir and Peter Ward. She also identified John Does #1 and #2 as brothers Pete and Tony Ward, both residents of the compound.[10]
Judge Richard P. Match refused to allow Howe's testimony in Timothy McVeigh's trial in the Oklahoma City bombing case.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Thomas, Jo (August 2, 1997). "A Spy on Radical Right Is Acquitted". The New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ "False Patriots". Southern Poverty Law Center. May 8, 2001. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ Michel, Lou; Herbeck, Dan (October 31, 2015). American Terrorist: Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City Bombing. BookBaby. ISBN 978-0060394073.
- ^ a b "McVeigh's Lawyers Keeping Eye on Bomb Threat Trial in Tulsa". Washington Post. July 23, 1997.
- ^ "Q&A: What really happened". The Conspiracy Files. March 2, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Harper, David (October 8, 1997). "Carol Howe Speaks // Debutante to Defendant, And Back to Mainstream // Ex-Informant to Testify Today Before Grand Jury". Tulsa World.
- ^ Harper, David (March 13, 1997). "Former Opera Deb Indicted". Tulsa World.
- ^ Ronson, Jon (May 5, 2001). "Conspirators". The Guardian. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ "Carole Howe".
- ^ "Testimony of Carol Howe in the Terry Nichols Trial". law2.umkc.edu. December 10, 1997.