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Los Angeles wildfires rekindle 'eco-terror' arson suspect manhunt after fake firefighters arrested

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Los Angeles wildfires rekindle 'eco-terror' arson suspect manhunt after fake firefighters arrested

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The FBI has rekindled a decades-long manhunt for a serial arson suspect accused of operating a domestic “eco-terror” cell that lit off more than a half-dozen fires in the 1990s and early 2000s shortly after Los Angeles authorities announced the arrests of a pair of fake firefighters from Oregon – one of whom has a criminal history of arson.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told Fox News Digital Sunday that Dustin Nehl, 31, and Jennifer Nehl, 44, were arrested after allegedly impersonating firefighters and driving into a restricted zone in a fake firetruck from a fake department.

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The FBI is offering $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of Josephine Sunshine Overaker, a suspected domestic terrorist accused of setting arson fires to spread an animal rights message alongside a group of fellow radicals. She, too, has been accused of posing as a firefighter.

COUPLE WITH FAKE FIRETRUCK BUSTED FOR IMPERSONATING FIREFIGHTERS NEAR PALISADES FIRE IN LA: SHERIFF

The Vail Ski Resort arson fire in 1998 that authorities say was the work of Josephine Sunshine Overaker and her alleged domestic terror cell known as “The Family.” (FBI/YouTube)

Overaker was indicted 24 years ago Sunday on charges including arson, destruction of an energy facility and domestic terrorism. Her exact age is unknown, but she is believed to have been born between October 1971 and November 1974.

The incidents she is alleged to have been involved with were linked to extremist groups known as the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front. The alleged attacks took place in Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado and Wyoming beginning in 1996. 

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Several hours after L.A. authorities announced the couple’s arrest, the FBI’s Most Wanted account on X reposted a flyer seeking information on Overaker, a longtime fugitive. 

LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES: ARMED HOMEOWNERS PATROL FOR LOOTERS INSIDE EVACUATION ZONE

A split image shows fugitive Josephine Sunshine Overaker’s distinctive back tattoo and an age-progressed sketch of what she may look like now. She is the last remaining fugitive suspect in the 1998 firebombing at the Vail Ski Resort that caused millions of dollars in damage, one of the most devastating ecoterrorism attacks in U.S. history. (FBI)

It was not clear that the Nehls had any connection to Overaker or the radical groups she is accused of working with. The FBI re-shared her wanted poster on the 24th anniversary of her federal indictment. 

Dustin Nehl has a criminal record that includes prior arson charges, according to authorities, who found him dressed up in firefighting gear, carrying radios and riding with his wife in a decommissioned firetruck that had been purchased at auction. 

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The vehicle was emblazoned with the name of a fake Oregon agency, the “Roaring River Fire Department.” Under their firefighting gear, according to authorities, they were wearing CAL-Fire T-shirts, California’s state firefighting agency.

Dustin Nehl served five years in prison for a series of vandalizations that culminated in an arson attack at a country club and at other locations, LA Magazine reported. 

‘AMERICA’S MOST WANTED’ PROFILES OREGON ARSON FUGITIVE TIED TO DOMESTIC TERRORIST GROUP

The rebuilt Two Elk Lodge in the Vail ski area at Vail, Colorado, in October 1999. It was built to replace the original building, destroyed in an arson attack by an eco-terrorist group known as The Family, which had ties to the Animal Liberation Front and Earth Liberation Front. (John Epperson/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Overaker is the last remaining suspect out of 17 in a catastrophic 1998 fire at the Vail Ski Resort in Colorado that has not been captured, according to federal prosecutors. In 2018, fellow longtime fugitive Joseph Mahmoud Dibee was arrested in Cuba for his role in the plot. He pleaded guilty in 2022 in exchange for an 87-month prison sentence.

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LA MAYOR’S OFFICE SILENT ON DEPUTY WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF FIRE DEPT PLACED ON LEAVE FOR ALLEGED BOMB THREAT

The FBI calls it the “largest eco-related arson in history.” The fire destroyed the luxe Two Elk Lodge restaurant, which was later rebuilt, disabled chair lifts and leveled other buildings, according to authorities. 

Other targets were the Cavel West Meat Packing Plant in Redmond, Oregon, and a barn that belonged to the Bureau of Land Management in Litchfield, California.

Overaker allegedly led an cell of domestic terrorists known as “The Family,” blamed for between $45 million and $80 million worth of damage across 25 arson attacks. To avoid detection, she allegedly shoplifted her bombmaking materials rather than buy them.

 

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Overaker, a Canadian-born American citizen, has a large bird tattoo across her back and may be posing as a firefighter, a midwife, a sheep tender or a masseuse, according to the FBI. She has brown hair, brown eyes, stands 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs an estimated 130 pounds. Agents have said she has facial hair on her upper lip.

She has used a number of aliases over the years, including Lisa Quintana, China, Jo and Osha, according to the FBI. She is fluent in Spanish and may have relocated to Spain.

She faces up to life in prison if convicted. 

Fox News’ Stepheny Price contributed to this report.

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San Francisco, CA

Headlines, June 30 – Streetsblog San Francisco

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Headlines, June 30 – Streetsblog San Francisco


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Denver, CO

Nemanja Jokic, the older brother of\u00a0Denver …

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Nemanja Jokic, the older brother of Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, has successfully transitioned from a protective family advisor into a credentialed professional by becoming a certified NBA agent, Serbian outlet Meridian Sports relayed on Tuesday. The middle of the three brothers had to navigate the strict licensing protocols dictated by the National Basketball Players Association, which stands as the sole governing body authorized to issue the official license required to negotiate contracts with league franchises. The former collegiate player turned team executive for Serbian club KK Joker Sombor completed the strict application process.

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Seattle, WA

3 Seahawks Rookies Who Must Step Up Right Away

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3 Seahawks Rookies Who Must Step Up Right Away


The Seattle Seahawks are the defending champions, but that doesn’t mean their rookie class isn’t important.

If anything, it means the rookie class is more important because these first-year players will have to play at a very high level right from the jump in their careers. The Seahawks’ rookie class is going to be expected to help the team win a Super Bowl by replacing some key players on the roster.

“The world champion Seahawks, as I saw it, had three clear areas that became needs this offseason: running back, safety and corner, with the departures of Kenneth Walker III, Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen,” Sports Illustrated reporter Albert Breer wrote.

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“Accordingly, running back Jadarian Price, safety Bud Clark and corner Julian Neal were their first three draft picks, and all three will be guys to watch in late July and August. And another storyline, one that’ll tie back to Price, will be Zach Charbonnet’s return from a torn ACL.”

Jadarian Price

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Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price during minicamp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

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With Zach Charbonnet tearing his ACL during the divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers back in January, first-round pick Jadarian Price will be thrown into the limelight in Week 1, assuming he gets through training camp in full health.

This will be an excellent opportunity for Price to get early reps, especially considering he was a backup in college to Jeremiyah Love, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. He’ll compete with George Holani in training camp for the starting job against the New England Patriots on Sep. 9.

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Bud Clark

TCU defensive back Bud Clark speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine. | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Clark shouldn’t be expected to start over Julian Love and Ty Okada, but he should still have a handsome role in the secondary. Last year, the secondary proved how important depth is, and everyone in Seattle’s back line can play at a high level.

Clark is taking over for Coby Bryant, who signed with the Chicago Bears back in March. Those are tough shoes to fill, but Clark will be given an opportunity to show why he was a second-round pick.

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Julian Neal

Arkansas defensive back Julian Neal during the NFL Scouting Combine. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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The Seahawks won’t have Riq Woolen this season after he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Josh Jobe and Nick Emmanwori will also need to fill in for Woolen’s absence, but third-round pick Julian Neal will have to shoulder some of the responsibility as well.

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Woolen played in 78 percent of the team’s defensive snaps last season, which means Neal could hear his number early and often if he has a strong showing in training camp.

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