Latest news with #Frakes
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
2 veterans arrested in brazen robbery, assault at Washington base
A soldier at Joint Base Lewis-McChord fought off two masked men who attacked him with a hammer while stealing gear from the Ranger Compound on base Sunday night. Authorities arrested Levi Austin Frakes and Charles Ethan Fields, both veterans, at their home in Lacey, Washington, on Monday night, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court. FBI agents found an arsenal that included dozens of guns, explosives and body armor, along with Nazi paraphernalia at the home. According to the complaint, a soldier entered a building at the Army Ranger compound at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Sunday night and found two men wearing Ranger physical training clothing with a cluster of Army property around them. The soldier questioned them about what they were doing and told them to pull down their masks, which they did. A fight ensued, and one of the men brandished a hammer and struck the soldier in the head. Despite losing a large amount of blood, the soldier continued to fight and managed to get control of the hammer — at which point, one of the men pulled a knife. The soldier then let them go, the complaint said. The two veterans had attempted to steal about $14,000 worth of body armor, ballistic helmets and communications equipment, most of which they left behind when they dropped their rucksacks as they fled, the complaint said. During the fight, one of the men dropped his hat. It said 'Fields' on the inside. Using base entry logs and surveillance video, investigators determined that Fields and Frakes had entered Lewis-McChord together about an hour before the attack, investigators said. Additionally, the wounded soldier, who required hospital treatment, told investigators he asked around his unit about the name Fields after finding it on the hat. The soldier learned that Fields had been assigned to the Ranger Battalion around 2021, and he was able to identify him as one of the attackers based on photos shown to him by others in his unit, the complaint said. The men had access to the base because they were veterans, the probable cause statement filed in state court said. 'Charles E. Fields was a 11B (Infantrymen) in the Regular Army from February 2017 to July 2021,' An Army spokesperson told Army Times. 'He deployed to Afghanistan twice from September 2018 to February 2019 and October 2019 to November 2019. He left the Army in the rank of Sergeant.' Information was not immediately available regarding Frakes' military service. One of the defendants told investigators the pair had been stealing equipment from the base for the past two years to sell or trade, and agents found about $24,000 in cash at the home, wrote Special Agent Christopher J. Raguse of the Army Criminal Investigation Division. Washington state business license records show Frakes and Fields own a company called Sovereign Solutions, which featured an 'SS' logo with the letters separated by a lightning bolt, according to The Associated Press. The company's website advertises 'Quality Training and Equipment for the Modern Warfighter,' including marksmanship classes, as well as a T-shirt with the company logo and the words 'Professional War Crime Committer.' The federal complaint charges Frakes and Fields with robbery, assault and theft of government property. The pair also face investigation on state charges of unlawful possession of incendiary devices, short-barreled rifles and a machine gun. Each was being held at the Thurston County Jail on $500,000 bail as of Thursday. Agents found rifles staged at the upstairs windows, a probable cause affidavit filed in Thurston County Superior Court said. The federal complaint said agents 'observed numerous Nazi/white supremacy memorabilia, murals, and literature in every bedroom and near several stockpiles of weapons and military equipment.' Photos from inside the home included in court documents showed a wall decorated with a red Nazi flag emblazoned with a black swastika and a black SS flag — the letters shaped like lightning bolts — referencing the Schutzstaffel, the Nazi paramilitary led by Heinrich Himmler. Agents seized about 35 firearms at the home, including short-barreled rifles and an MG42 machine gun — a type typically supported with a bipod and which was used by German troops during World War II. Other seized gear included 3D-printed suppressors and Army-issued explosives, such as smoke grenades and blasting caps, ballistic plates and helmets and night-vision devices, authorities said. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
American Military News
5 days ago
- American Military News
Pics: US vets arrested, charged for secret arsenal with Nazi memorabilia after ‘violent robbery'
Two U.S. veterans were arrested on Monday after Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents executed a search warrant and discovered a massive arsenal of weapons, military gear, $24,000 in cash, and Nazi memorabilia at a house in Lacey, Washington. According to a criminal complaint obtained by The Associated Press, FBI officials arrested U.S. veterans Charles Ethan Fields and Levi Austin Frakes on Monday night. The outlet cited Army Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent Christopher J. Raguse, who claimed that one of the suspects admitted the two U.S. veterans had been stealing military equipment from Joint Base Lewis-McChord for two years and selling or trading the equipment. The Associated Press reported that both Fields and Frakes have been charged with theft of government property, robbery, and assault after recently attacking a soldier at the base with a hammer during an alleged robbery. According to the outlet, the veterans are also facing investigation for the unlawful possession of a machine gun, short-barreled rifles, and incendiary devices. The criminal complaint obtained by The Associated Press said that FBI agents 'observed numerous Nazi/white supremacy memorabilia, murals, and literature in every bedroom and near several stockpiles of weapons and military equipment' during the execution of Monday's search warrant. READ MORE: China targeting US military members for spy operations, fmr. CIA chief warns In a Tuesday post on Facebook, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders wrote, 'Yesterday, Army CID reached out to TCSO for assistance with the execution of a warrant on an address in the City of Lacey as a result of a violent robbery and theft of military weaponry/armor. The suspects identified in this case were actively involved in Nazi White Nationalist efforts.' 'An FBI SWAT team executed the warrant, which resulted in the seizure of short barrel rifles, an MG42 machine gun, grenade launchers, explosives, body armor, ammunition, and ballistic helmets surrounded by Nazi paraphernalia,' Sanders added. 'Multiple rifles were staged at windows throughout the residence.' Pictures of the military weapons and Nazi memorabilia discovered at the Lacey home were shared on X, formerly Twitter. BREAKING: TCSO AND ARMY CID EXECUTE SEARCH WARRANT ON WHITE NATIONALIST EXTREMISTS; 35 FIREARMS, GR*NADE LAUNCHERS, AND EXPL0SIVES SEIZED IN LACEY, WASHINGTON. According to Sheriff Sanders of Thurston County, on June 2, 2025, Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) contacted… — Sarah Fields (@SarahisCensored) June 4, 2025 According to The Associated Press, Fields and Frakes were discovered with U.S. Army equipment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Army Ranger compound on Sunday night by an unidentified soldier who questioned the two veterans and asked them to remove their masks. The outlet noted that the veterans engaged in a fight with the soldier and that one of the suspects used a hammer to strike the soldier on the head. The Associated Press reported that the soldier let the two suspects go after one of the veterans pulled out a knife during the fight. Law enforcement officials claimed that the two suspects left most of the military equipment behind after initially attempting to steal roughly $14,000 worth of ballistic helmets, body armor, and communications equipment.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OU football lands Norman North alum Gavin Frakes in transfer portal from Virginia
NORMAN — OU football has reportedly added a fifth quarterback to its roster. Former Norman North standout Gavin Frakes, who spent two seasons at New Mexico State and last season at Virginia, is set to transfer to the Sooners, according to a report Thursday from OUInsider. Advertisement Frakes made five starts for New Mexico State in 2022 but didn't see action in 2023. He also didn't play for the Cavaliers in 2024 and has two years of eligibility remaining. Frakes served as Norman North's starting quarterback as a senior in the fall of 2021 and was a top-100 class of 2022 prospect in Oklahoma. Frakes led the Timberwolves to a 7-4 record and finished the regular season with 2,992 all-purpose yards and 32 touchdowns. Frakes joins John Mateer, Michael Hawkins Jr., Whitt Newbauer and Jett Niu as quarterbacks on the Sooners' roster. Frakes is OU's seventh spring transfer portal addition, joining Newbauer (Mercer), wide receiver Jer'Michael Carter (McNeese State), defensive tackle Siolaa Lolohea (Utah State), offensive lineman Jake Maikkula (Stanford), running back Jaydn Ott (Cal) and kicker Tate Sandell (UTSA). Advertisement More: Why OU softball is more prepared for Alabama this time around in NCAA super regionals Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@ or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football lands QB Gavin Frakes in transfer portal from Virginia
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memphis nonprofit provides safe haven and aid for men in need
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Every Tuesday, as part of our Greater Memphis on a Mission series, we highlight organizations making Memphis better. This week, we caught up with a group that believes in stability and 2nd chances. Justin Frakes was homeless and living in his van when he heard about Brotha 2 Brotha, a drop-in center located in Binghampton that proved a safe and supportive space for men facing life challenges. 'Shows that somebody cares, you know? Someone will listen to you and not treat you like crap,' said Frakes. 'Helped me get back on my feet. I'm not stuck in the cycle no more. That was a big advantage.' Eikon Ministries: Shaping Memphis leaders, one child at a time Dennis Boyd is the founder and executive director. 'Some guys are battling with drug addiction, homelessness, just getting released from jail. Just having a hard time and need a helping hand,' said Boyd. Every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m., they offer a meal, clean clothes, toiletries, and an opportunity to take a hot shower. For Boyd, those offerings are intentional. 'For me, personally, my background, I've been homeless before. I know how it is to go hungry or not know where your next meal is going to come from. Not knowing if I can get a hot shower,' said Boyd. For Frakes, the availability of hot showers was a lifeline. 'I had food all the time. Food wasn't the problem, but a shower was the one thing I didn't have. I would come religiously every week,' he said. 📡 for Memphis and the Mid-South. 📧 and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. Thanks to the helping hand of Brotha 2 Brotha and the Binghamton Development Corporation's business hub, Frakes has a full-time job and is no longer homeless. Boyd makes sure everyone who walks in the door is treated with dignity. 'When we sit down, we're talking Brotha 2 Brotha. No judgment. I'm here for you. How can I help, or if I can't help, I know somebody that can help,' Boyd said. That is why Brown Missionary Baptist Church and the Mid-South Genesis CDC donated $1,000 to Brotha 2 Brotha. Because when life's struggles knock you down, they will help lift you back up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Westminster firefighters return from battling Southern California wildfires
Westminster, Colo. (KDVR) – Firefighters from Westminster are finally getting some rest back at home after spending two weeks in southern California helping with the battle against the wildfires. Three members of Westminster's wildland fire team were among the 18 total first responders deployed. They represented a number of agencies from around the Denver metro area. Once they offered to go to California on Jan. 11, they had a three-hour window to get ready and head out. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Greg Frakes was one of those firefighters with Westminster. He said that once they arrived they checked in at base camp and got their assignment to the Palisade Fire. 'Pretty impressive to see. It's something that's comparable to our Marshall Fire that we had locally but on a much larger scale. The devastation was intense, but as for us we weren't active in the fire front that was the local resources, we were more working in a support role. Entire neighborhoods burning up to the oceanfront was something I would have never imagined,' Frakes said. That support role meant they'd be cleaning vegetation to secure the perimeter of the fire, patrolling neighborhoods, helping hot spot coordination and other tactics to stop the spread They were there for 14 days working 24 hours on and 24 hours off, but they were always at the ready sleeping on cots, in tents close to the fire in case there was ever any overnight reignition. 'Being able to give our experience and knowledge wherever we can and not just keeping it in Colorado, it's nice to be able to help our neighboring states,' Frakes said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
