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Looking for Bigfoot
re Arrow, the now-convicted eco criminal once known as Michael J. Scarpitti, 34, was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison this week for his part in a pair of arson attacks in 2001.
As prosecuting U.S. Attorney Karen J. Immergut said, "this closes a seven-year effort for justice". Arrow/Scarpitti was indicted in August 2002, and became an international fugitive before being arrested for shoplifting in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on March 13, 2004. He resisted extradition until February 29 of this year when he was returned to the US.
He will get credit for time served during that period, but it's about all the good news given to him by U.S. District Judge James A. Redden. In fact, Redden increased the normal five-year sentence guideline similar cases based on the fact Arrow/Scarpitti committed the arsons against Ross Island Sand and Gravel Company of Portland, Oregon and Schoppert Logging Company in Eagle Creek, Oregon in an "aggravated manner".
Judge Redden also ordered restitution of $101,057.09 for the Ross Island arson and $53,500 for the arson at Schoppert Logging jointly and severally with his three co-defendants in the case.
That trio, incidentally, has completed their 41-month prison terms.
Arrow waived his right to appeal his sentence, and had already acknowledged his having committed the arsons.
When he finishes serving his sentence, the obligations will not end. For three years after his release, Arrow will be on supervised release, required to meet with a parole officer, required to maintain "full employment and a stable residence" and, perhaps most importantly, prohibited from knowingly associating with individuals and groups such as the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) or engage in any criminal activity.
From the beginning, U.S. Attorney Stephen F. Peifer refused to give up on this case, and it became one of those stories that it seemed might never have a conclusion. Now, as Immergut says, "Arrow and his three co-defendants have admitted their guilt and received just punishment for their crimes."
And later today in Palo Alto, California, three bigfoot hunters say they're going to produce what would be irrefutable proof of the existence of the critter- a body.
Matthew Whitton an Rick Dyer of Georgia will join Tom Biscardi for a press conference at the Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto at noon Pacific time. At that time, the trio says they'll release a photo and DNA evidence that proves -once and for all - the existence of bigfoot.
At least two outdoor groups are looking at this press conference with something more than cautious skepticism. Only a few weeks ago, Bushnell and Field & Stream offered a million dollar prize for definitive proof of the existence of a bigfoot - preferably a photo taken with a Bushnell trail camera. The contest also offered prizes for the best attempts to spoof the experts, and was viewed as an ingenious and entertaining way to encourage use of trail cameras.
Bushnell sources tell us the men have been in touch with them in advance of their press conference and have told officials they have a corpse. They also say it's nearly eight feet tall, weighs nearly five hundred pounds and has "blackish-grey" eyes.
Have a Clayton County, Georgia police officer and former corrections officer finally solved the bigfoot mystery?
Dunno, but we'll keep you posted.
--Jim Shepherd
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