ELF Pole Cutter   Back to Jail

Bonnie Urfer is back at a federal prison camp for five more months, having refused to pay restitution for three large wooden poles she cut down. The poles held up the Project ELF antenna not far from her northern Wisconsin home, a relic Cold War trigger for the Trident nuclear submarine fleet that could still signal the beginning of the end of the world. Following her conviction in February, 2001, she served six months in prison. Two-person saw partner and co-defendant Mike Sprong served two months in prison for their June, 2000 "Silence Trident" disarmament action.

Urfer was back before Federal Magistrate Stephen Crocker in Madison on December 12, who rewarded her failure to pay over $4,700 to the Navy with the prison sentence and no more probation afterwards. The government keeps the option of a civil suit against Urfer to recover damages.

Urfer was ready to report to prison, but Crocker refused to send her off just before the holidays. Urfer began her prison sentence on January 4.

For more information, contact Nukewatch, POB 649, Luck, WI 54853, (715)472-4185, nukewatch@lakeland.ws

Letters of support should be sent to Bonnie Urfer #04970-045, F.P.C. Greenville, POB 5000, Greenville, IL 62246.