Guns, ammo, drugs seized in raid http://www.fredericknewspost.com/display.cfm?storyid=4240&from=currentsearch§ion=a1
By Susan C. Nicol
News-Post Staff
The Frederick County Narcotics
Task Force got more than they
expected early Friday when they
raided a home on Old Receiver
Road, uncovering
anti-government propaganda and
an arsenal that included 128
weapons and more than 38,000
rounds of ammunition.
Michael L. Burtner, 42, and two
women were taken into custody
without incident when officers
raided his home at 7927 Old
Receiver Road, said Sgt. Ed Hahn,
who heads the task force.
Mr. Burtner, owner of Casa
Pizza restaurant on North
Market Street in Frederick, was
charged with weapons violations
and drug offenses. He is being
held in the Frederick County
Adult Detention Center in lieu of
$750,000 bail, police said.
The women were not charged, said Sgt. Hahn.
"We anticipated getting a few handguns. But nothing like all this," said Sgt. Hahn, adding
that the task force obtained the search warrant following an investigation into suspected
drug activity.
The arsenal included rifles, shotguns, assault and sniper rifles, and handguns scattered
everywhere in Mr. Burtner's single-story brick house, including a bedroom, attic and
basement, police said.
Some of the assault rifles were still in their original, unopened boxes, while many
handguns were in holsters. All of the guns are legal to own. State law requires
registration of handguns and assault rifles, Mr. Rolle said.
Sgt. Hahn said task force members knew Mr. Burtner had about 35 registered handguns,
but found only four. "We wonder where the rest of them are," he said.
Ballistics tests will be conducted to see if the weapons match those used in crimes.
Also seized were about a half ounce of crack cocaine, two grams of marijuana, traces of
heroin and $1,400, Sgt. Hahn said.
Among the biggest surprises uncovered in addition to the weapons were several crates of
ammunition, three bullet-resistant vests, and anti-government literature and
videotapes, including one titled, "Waco: The Lie."
Mr. Rolle said the FBI's anti-terrorism unit was interested in reviewing the propaganda.
"It's quite clear a major tragedy may have been averted," he said, adding that authorities
had no knowledge of Mr. Burtner's association with any militia or other groups.
Frederick Police Chief Ray Raffensberger said he hoped the weapons and antigovernment
materials were an "isolated incident."
"This goes to show that there is no such thing as a routine raid for narcotics," he said.
Mr. Burtner, who has owned Casa Pizza for about 18 months, was said to have been
cooperative with police.
The suspect's father, Carroll Burtner, said he was surprised to find police at his son's
home when he arrived to clean up the back yard.
The elder Mr. Burtner, visibly shaken by his son's arrest and media attention, said he
just didn't know what to say. He returned to the house on Old Receiver Road on Friday
afternoon to gather a few things.
Neighbors said when they heard and saw the activity in the early morning hours they first
thought Mr. Burtner was having another party.
"Then I noticed all the cars were the same," neighbor Janiele Huffer said with a chuckle.
Upon learning about the arsenal stored in the house next door, Ms. Huffer said, "I was
shocked. It's scary. We have three children. ..."
She said the fact that drugs were found came as no surprise. "There was always a lot of
traffic in and out over there," she said. "... Always a lot of people coming and going. ..."
Until a few years ago, Ms. Huffer said Mr. Burtner, his wife and son were pleasant
neighbors who kept their home and grounds nice.
But after Mrs. Burtner and the boy moved out, things changed, Ms. Huffer said.
"He stayed to himself. He didn't take care of the lawn. He let things go," she said, adding
that last summer another neighbor called the county to report the tall weeds and grass
after seeing snakes.
Norman Ray, another neighbor, praised the police for their efforts. "I have a lot of
confidence in our police department," he said. "I thank them for breaking up this gang or
getting those guns and drugs out of there."
Both were shocked to learn about the anti-government brochures and tapes found in Mr.
Burtner's house. "We had no idea about anything like that," Mr. Ray said.
Large, overgrown bushes hide the front door of the home, and the side and back yards are
littered with appliances.
Bumper stickers on a vehicle in the driveway say "I (heart symbol) assault weapons,"
"Gun Control = People Control," "Say No to the New World Order. Keep America
Independent" and "Gun Control, Simple Solution for Simple Minds."
