The state is dismissing charges against an Alaska militia leader and others who are accused in a murder conspiracy plot targeting Alaska State Troopers and a judge.
Similar federal charges remain against four of the five Fairbanks-area residents, including Schaeffer Cox, who was accused in state charges of hatching the conspiracy. The four remain in custody.
Prosecutors say today’s decision was prompted by a Superior Court judge’s recent ruling to suppress all electronic evidence in the case.
Judge David Stewart said in his Oct. 17 ruling that audio and video recordings made during a six-month FBI investigation into Cox and his Peacemaker’s Militia are not admissible because they were made without a search warrant, violating the Alaska Constitution. The FBI has wider authority to obtain warrants.