Tree Spiking Suspect Linked to ELF

B L O O M I N G T O N, Ind., Jan. 26 -- An alleged member of a radical environmental group connected to a series of arsons and other crimes has been arrested for putting spikes in trees to destroy logging equipment.

Frank B. Ambrose, 26, is accused of driving 10-inch spikes intotrees last June in an area of the Morgan-Monroe State Forest slatedfor logging.

Authorities believe Ambrose is affiliated with the EarthLiberation Front, a loosely knit group that claimed responsibilityfor spiking the trees. If he is convicted, it would be the first in a crime for which ELF claimed responsibility.

The ELF has claimed responsibility for 22 major crimes,including arson attacks and other acts of sabotage across thecountry. The FBI has attributed $37 million in damage since 1996 tothe group.

In a statement released Thursday, Ambrose denied spiking thetrees. After his arrest, he refused to answer questions, includingwhether he's affiliated with the ELF.

Ambrose told The Herald-Times of Bloomington he was targeted byauthorities for publicly refusing to condemn destroying property toprevent harm to the environment.

"Is it illegal to say that? It may not be popular with somepeople, but it doesn't mean I was involved in it," he said.

A six-month investigation by state conservation officers and theFBI traced the spiking nails to Ambrose through store surveillancetapes. According to an affidavit, Abrose's car was spotted outsidethe forest at the time of the incident, and police found hammeringand metal-cutting tools and cotton gloves with a residue similar tothat from the spikes in Ambrose's apartment.

No Way to Prove He's an ELF

Ambrose is the Midwest coordinator for the American LandsAlliance, a mainstream environmental group headed by former Indianacongressman Jim Jontz.

"American Lands doesn't support tree spiking," Jontz said fromhis Portland, Ore., office. "Of course, I hope that theseallegations aren't true."

Ambrose was released on $2,000 bond and is scheduled to appearin court Feb. 2. Tree spiking is a felony in Indiana punishableby up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.