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NOW THE BROWNS WILL BE LOCKED IN FROM THE OUTSIDE

October 05, 2007

Federal marshals arrested tax protesters Ed and Elaine Brown last night, peacefully ending a standoff that began back in January. They will now begin serving their 63-months sentences, with the prospect of more time for likely additional charges related to the standoff.

The Browns were convicted of tax evasion in January, but Mr. Brown stopped showing up for his trial and holed himself up in his rural New Hampshire fortress-house. His wife joined him in the house after the verdict came down, breaking a promise to the judge that she would not take part in the standoff.

The Feds have been stepping up the pressure on the Browns. Last month they arrested several sympathizers who they believed had been helping the Browns during the standoff.

It's not clear how the Browns were arrested; they had vowed not to go peacefully. The U.S. Marshal heading the operation will hold a news conference this morning. Mr. Brown said he would go peacefully if somebody would "show me the law" that required him to pay his federal income taxes. Maybe he finally read our January post where we did just that. Hey, you're welcome! But I'd still take the million dollars, if the offer is still good.