Denver, Colorado: May 12,1999

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) applauds the efforts of law enforcement authorities in Arapahoe County and Denver for their swift capture of Jack Merlyn Modig. In so doing it appears that they may have prevented a violent attack on the Islamic Center. Police report that Modig was in possession of numerous weapons, live ammunition, and the components to build bombs. Modig is alleged to have made threats against "the Islamic nation" and told police that he intended to "take care of business". Modig was charged with possession of explosive devices and ethnic intimidation, among other charges.

The ADL Regional Chair and Mountain States Regional Director Saul Rosenthal commended Sgt. Terry Reibling and his colleagues at the Arapahoe County Sheriff's department for identifying Modig's car as inappropriately parked outside the Islamic Center in the middle of the night. "The officers in this case -- both in Arapahoe County and Denver -- demonstrated outstanding police work in capturing what appears to be someone with dangerous ideas and an interest in acting on them violently."

Jack Modig appears to have had ties to the Colorado Common Law Court and was a signatory to a Common Law Court "lawsuit" in 1995 against the "United States, its political subdivisions and officers thereof". Common Law Court adherents conduct bogus judicial proceedings and disseminate phony legal documents. The "courts" render rulings on such matters as foreclosures, taxes, vehicle registration and custody disputes. In extreme cases, the "courts" have charged government officials with treason or other crimes. Other Common Law Court activists have barged into legitimate courtrooms, disrupting proceedings and causing judges and magistrates to have to take extra caution with the security in their courtrooms. ADL first reported on the dangerous elements in the common law court groups in 1995.

To arrange an interview with an ADL expert or to receive ADL materials on Common Law Courts and hate crimes please call 303-830-7177

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.