Jonathan Idema

Infobox Celebrity
name = Jonathan Keith "Jack" Idema


imagesize =
caption = Idema during his 2004 trial in Kabul, Afghanistan.
birth_date = birth date and age|1956|5|30
birth_place = flagicon|USA Poughkeepsie, New York, United States
death_date =
death_place =
occupation = Vigilante
salary =
networth =
signature quote =
spouse =
website =
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children =

Jonathan Keith "Jack" Idema is an American citizen convicted in September 2004 for running a private prison in Afghanistan and torturing Afghan citizens. At the time of his arrest and conviction, Idema had been portraying himself as a U.S. government-sponsored special forces operative on a mission to apprehend terrorists. However, the U.S. government has repeatedly denied such claims. Idema was granted a pardon by Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai in April 2007, departing Afghanistan in early June, having served three years of a ten-year sentence.cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6749677.stm |title= Afghans free US 'bounty hunter' |date= 13 June 2007 |accessdate=2007-06-13 |publisher= BBC News]

Questionable behavior

At the center of the controversy is Idema's claim that while in Afghanistan he was acting on behalf of the U.S. government and that he was an advisor to the Northern Alliance. At other times, Idema told people he was in Afghanistan doing humanitarian work or that he was a "security consultant" for journalists. He also actively sought media attention for himself and his activities – to the point of offering interviews in return for payment – even though he himself said he was operating covertly.cite web | last =Blake | first =Mariah | authorlink = | coauthors =A.G.Basoli | title =Tin Soldier: An American Vigilante In Afghanistan, Using the Press for Profit and Glory | work = | publisher =Columbia Journalism Review | date =2005-01 | url =http://cjr.org/issues/2005/1/blake-soldier.asp | format = | doi = | accessdate =2006-12-27] cite web | last =Ehrlich | first =Richard S. | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =U.S. mercenary made his mark with viciousness | work = | publisher =The Washington Times |date=August 28, 2004 | url =http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20040827-110028-6263r.htm | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-03-30 ]

Many believe Idema to be a con artist or impostor, based on his refusal or inability to demonstrate verifiable proof for his claims, on legal records that contradict his assertions about his background, as well as on a prior conviction for mail fraud and a history of criminal activity. Some have suggested that he may also be delusional in having concocted a fantasy-type personality for himself as a highly-trained covert operative combating international terrorism, despite a brief and mostly non-notable military record (which states that Idema was in the Special Forces strictly in a support capacity).cite news |first=Kim |last=Sengupta |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Bad company: `Jack' Idema and the bounty hunters of Kabul |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article46767.ece |format= |work= |publisher=The Independent on Sunday |pages= |page= |date=July 11, 2004 |accessdate=2007-03-10 |language= |quote=Records show that Idema served with the 11th Special Forces Group as a "rigger" – essentially a supporting role ensuring that equipment and supplies reached those in the frontline. ] This opinion was echoed by Major Scott Nelson, the U.S. military spokesperson in Kabul at the time of Idema's arrest in 2004.cite web | last =Ehrlich | first =Richard S. | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =U.S. mercenary made his mark with viciousness | work = | publisher =The Washington Times |date=August 28, 2004 | url =http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20040827-110028-6263r.htm | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-03-30 | quote="He was operating by himself there with the delusion that he was able to do great things for the world," Maj. Nelson said.] The judge in Idema's 1994 fraud trial also questioned Idema's psychological state and ordered him to undergo evaluation prior to his sentencing. The report said that while he was not "mentally ill", Idema had a "personality disorder which would affect his interaction with persons exhibiting similar traits, such as supervisors, attorneys, doctors, judges and other persons in positions of power or authority."

In the early 1990s, Idema said he had uncovered a plot by the Russian mafia to smuggle nuclear weapons out of Russia. Before that he said he participated in covert operations in Latin America. Furthermore, he said that as a soldier he parachuted out of airplanes accompanied by his dog Sarge, who was also trained as a bomb-sniffer. (Idema reportedly saved Sarge's genetic material with the hopes of later cloning the pet.)cite news |first=David |last=Rohde |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Portrait of a U.S. Vigilante in Afghanistan |url= http://www.nytimes.com/2004/7/11/international/asia/11afgh.html |format= |work= |publisher= The New York Times |pages= |page= |date= July 11, 2004 |accessdate= 2007-03-05 |language= |quote= ]

Idema is not without his supporters, usually found among blogs sympathetic to his situation. The contributors to these blogs believe that he is being unjustly punished for actions condoned, if not officially sanctioned, by the U.S. military. However, there has been little support for Idema's claims in general media outlets. Indeed, many members of the media who encountered Idema while they were on assignment in Afghanistan regard him as a fraud.

Idema is known to be litigious, filing law suits or threatening legal action against his detractors – usually those who have disclosed information about his past, but also those whom he has accused of fraud or libel. For instance, he tried to sue Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks Studios over the 1997 film "The Peacemaker".cite website | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Adventures of Jonathan Idema in Kabul | work = | publisher =Court TV | date =
url =http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/cops_others/jonathan_idema/3.html | format = | doi = | accessdate =2006-12-16] Idema charged that the Special Forces operative played by George Clooney was modeled on him. A judge dismissed Idema's claim and ordered him to pay US$267,079 in attorney fees.cite website | last = | first =
authorlink = | coauthors = | title =U.S. Says American Detainees Not Beaten | work =
publisher = Yahoo News, reposted on asianfanatics.net forum | date = August 24, 2004-8-24 | url =http://asianfanatics.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=27650 | format = | doi = | accessdate =2006-12-16]

Early life

Idema was raised in Poughkeepsie, New York, graduating from high school there in 1974. In February 1975 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His father H. John Idema, a former Marine and World War II veteran, believes that his son remains a "dedicated American".cite news |first=Greg |last=Barnes |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Pride, prison shadow Idema |url= http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Template=news&Story=6446821|format= |work= Article ID: 6446821 |publisher=The Fayetteville Observer |pages= |page= |date= July 10, 2007 |accessdate=2007-03-05 |language= |quote= ] cite web | last =Sullivan | first =Stacy | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Keith Idema's Operation Desert Fraud | work = | publisher =New York Magazine | date =2004-10-04 | url =http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/10121/ | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-04-10]

Military service

There is a discrepancy between what Idema says his military experience was as a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces and what is stated in his official military record. Idema has repeatedly stated on television, radio, and in writing that he acquired 12 years of Special forces service, 22 years of combat training, and 18 years of covert operations experience.

In fact, Idema's military career was fairly short and contained several reports of poor performance, with no record that he acquired any combat experience. Two years after enlisting in the Army in 1975, he qualified for the Special Forces.cite website | last =Robberson | first =Tod | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Records seem to discredit self-proclaimed Special Forces expert.....Out of service since '84, man accused in Afghan case never saw combat | work = | publisher =Dallas Morning News | date =2004-08-30 | url =http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies204.htm | format = | doi = | quote =According to a copy of his military records, Mr. Idema trained and qualified for Special Forces in 1977. Mr. Idema then switched to reserve status, where he remained until he left the Army in 1984. There is no record of any combat service.| accessdate =2007-03-10]

According to his military record obtained in the course of his 1994 fraud trial, after serving one term of service Idema was not allowed to reenlist, likely due to poor performance. He had received numerous negative remarks from superior officers in addition to participating in three nonjudicial punishment proceedings. Idema was cited for "failure to obey orders, being derelict in the performance of his duty, and being disrespectful to a superior commanding officer."cite web | last =King | first =Mary F. | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Facsimile of a memorandum regarding Jonathan Keith Idema| work = | publisher =United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina | date =June 15, 1994 | url =http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/img/2005/ep01/fi_parolereport.pdf | format =PDF | doi = | accessdate =2007-04-09 ] One superior officer, Capt. John D. Carlson stated that Idema "is without a doubt the most unmotivated, unprofessional, immature enlisted man I have ever known."cite book | last = Young Pelton | first =Robert | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Licenced to Kill: Hired Guns in the War on Terror | publisher =Random House | year =2006 | location = | pages =241 | url = | doi = | id = ]

However, he was given an honorable discharge and allowed to join the United States Army Reserve 11th Special Forces Group working to provide logistical support. In a November 1, 1980 letter of reprimand, Major Paul R. Decker wrote that Idema "consistently displayed an attitude of noncooperation with persons outside his immediate working environment, disregard for authority and gross immaturity characterized by irrationality and a tendency toward violence." In January 1981, Idema was relieved of his Army Reserve duties, his last position was the assistant sergeant of operations and intelligence. After leaving the Army reserves, he became a member of the Individual Ready Reserve until he left the military completely in 1984.

Business interests

Several years after he left the Army, Idema became involved in the paintball business, opening a paintball supply and equipment company in Fayetteville, North Carolina named Idema Combat Systems. He later segued that business into a paramilitary clothier and supply company operating under the same name.cite news |first=Kim |last=Sengupta |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Bad company: 'Jack' Idema and the bounty hunters of Kabul |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20040711/ai_n12757575 |format= |work= |publisher=The Independent on Sunday |pages= |page= |date=July 11, 2004 |accessdate=2007-03-07 |language= |quote=Back in America, however, Idema, known as Keith rather than Jack, was known for another type of combat – paintball. He ran a magazine called Paintball Planet and produced "combat helmets" for the game. It was while running another company, Idema Combat Systems, which sold military clothing and equipment, that he was convicted in 1994 of swindling 60 companies out of $200,000. ] [cite web |title ="Good" Paintball Equipment | work = | publisher =orion foundation | url =http://www.orionfoundation.org/paintball_equipment.htm | accessdate =2007-03-07]

Sometime in the early 1980s Idema founded Counterr Group (also known as US Counter-Terrorist Group), a business entity which, according to its website, specializes in expert training for counter-terrorism, assault tactics and other security-related services.cite web |url=http://www.counterterroristgroup.us/ |title=Counter-Terrorist Group |accessdate=2007-03-29 |format= |work=Official website ]

Counterr Group's legal status and ownership is questionable – according to a "Soldier of Fortune" article published in 2004, Idema is mentioned as the owner. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author=Martin Brass |coauthors= |title=After a Lifetime of Skating on the Edge, Has Keith "Jack" Idema Finally Slid Over? |url=http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,SOF_0804_Idema,00.html |format= |work= |publisher=Soldier of Fortune |pages= |page= |date=August 2004 |accessdate=2007-06-05 |language= |quote= ] The company website lists a PO Box address in Fayetteville, but there is no record of the company's registration in that state. However, a company called "Counter Group, Inc." was incorporated in 1997 by William L. London, a lawyer who has represented Idema on several lawsuits. (The status for this company is listed as "suspended" as of 2004.) [cite web |url=http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Corp.aspx?PitemId=4674028 |title=Record for Counter Group, Inc." |accessdate=2007-06-04 |format= |work=North Carolina Secretary of State ]

The only company in North Carolina registered to Jonathan Idema is Idema Combat Systems, which according to state records was incorporated in January 1991 and dissolved in July 1994. [cite web |url=http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Corp.aspx?PitemId=4648848# |title=Record for Idema Combat Systems |accessdate=2007-06-04 |format= |work=North Carolina Secretary of State ] Moreover, the websites for Counterr Group are registered to Thomas R. Bumback, [cite web |url=http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/results.jsp?domain=counterterroristgroup.us |title=WHOIS search results for counterterroristgroup.us |accessdate=2007-06-04 |format= |work=Network Solutions ] a business associate of Idema's who is believed to be the company's current director. There is a record of Counterr Group being formed in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1983, but the company is listed as "inactive." [cite web |url=http://appsext8.dos.state.ny.us/corp_public/CORPSEARCH.ENTITY_INFORMATION?p_nameid=957548&p_corpid=860591&p_entity_name=%43%6F%75%6E%74%65%72%72%20%47%72%6F%75%70&p_name_type=%25&p_search_type=%42%45%47%49%4E%53&p_srch_results_page=0 |title=NYS Department of State Division of Corporations Entity Information: Counterr Group, Inc. |accessdate=2007-06-04 |format= |work=New York State Department of State ]

Idema also was also purported to own a company called Special Operations Exposition and Trade Show Inc which hosted organized conventions for military equipment suppliers. [Citation
last = Greenwood | first = Al | author-link = | last2 = | first2 = | author2-link = | title = Jury Awards Former Soldier 1.8 Million | newspaper = Fayetteville observer | pages = 1A, 5A | year = 2001 | date = 08-16 | url = ]

There are two other known companies – Isabeau Dakota, Inc. and Star America Aviation Company, Ltd. – that have connections to Idema. The latter claims to be an aviation support company founded in July 2008 with operations based out of Dubai.cite web |url=http://www.starair.us |title=STAR America Aviation Services Group |accessdate=2008-08-20 |format= |work= ] . Both are registered to William London in North Carolinacite web |url=http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Corp.aspx?PitemId=4772619 |title=Record for Isabeau Dakota, Inc. |accessdate=2008-08-20 |format= |work=North Carolina Secretary of State ] [cite web |url=http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Corp.aspx?PitemId=8945040 |title=Record for Star America Aviation Company, Ltd. |accessdate=2008-08-20 |format= |work=North Carolina Secretary of State ] Isabeau Dakota is a shell company; its last annual report, filed in 2002, identifies "H. John Idema" (Idema's father) of Poughkeepsie, New York as president and sole officer, and it lists no significant assets or business activity. The website for Star America Aviation is also registered to Bumback [cite web |url=http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/results.jsp?domain=starair.us |title=WHOIS search results for StarAir.us |accessdate=2008-08-20 |format= |work=Network Solutions ] and the websites for Counterr Group and Star America Aviation are very similar, including the use of imagery depicting Idema, presumably while he was in Afghanistan and prior to his arrest.

Fraud conviction

In addition to his occasional entrepreneurial pursuits, Idema has acquired a substantial criminal record. Over the years Idema has been charged with impersonating an officer, conspiracy, passing bad checks, assault, possession of stolen property, and discharging a firearm into a dwelling. In January 1994, Idema was arrested and charged with 58 counts of wire fraud defrauding 59 companies of about $260,000. He was convicted of the charges, sentenced to six years in prison (paroled after having served three years) and was subsequently ordered to pay restitution.cite web | last =Blake | first =Mariah | authorlink = | coauthors =A.G.Basoli | title =Tin Soldier: An American Vigilante In Afghanistan, Using the Press for Profit and Glory | work = | publisher =Columbia Journalism Review | date =2005-01 | url =http://cjr.org/issues/2005/1/blake-soldier.asp | format = | doi = | accessdate =2006-12-27]

On August 15, 2001 a jury awarded Idema $781,818 for property damage and 1 million dollars for punitive damages. The award came after a jury decided that a property manager improperly sold some of his belongings while Idema was serving his fraud sentence. Two property managers were hired by Idema to take care of a building that housed equipment for two of his businesses, Special Operations Exposition and Trade Show Inc., and Idema Combat Systems. According to the lawsuit, equipment was missing, damaged or destroyed, and holes were punched in the walls of the building. Idema sued both property managers and their wives on April 10, 2000, but everyone except for one property manager was later dropped from the suit. [Citation
last = Greenwood
first = Al
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Jury Awards Former Soldier 1.8 Million
newspaper = Fayetteville observer
pages = 1A, 5A
year =
date = 2001-08-16
url = ]

In June 2005, an investigator sued Idema alleging that he wasn't paid when Idema won the 1.8 million dollar lawsuit. The investigator claimed that Idema orally agreed to pay 15% of any amount collected, he also claimed that Idema failed to pay court reporters, expert witnesses, and others who helped him with his case. Idema never collected the 1.8 million because the property manager that was found guilty declared bankruptcy and Idema settled for 650,000 dollars that he obtained through law suits filed against insurance carriers. [Citation
last = Greenwood
first = Al
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Fayetteville man sues Idema
newspaper = Fayetteville observer
pages =
year =
date = 2005-07-03
url = ]

Lithuania and nuclear weapons smuggling

In 1993 Idema was contracted to train police forces in the former Soviet republic of Lithuania. After his return, he contacted officials from both the Pentagon and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), claiming to have uncovered a conspiracy by the Russian Mafia to smuggle nuclear material out of Lithuania. According to Idema, FBI agents demanded he provide the names of his contacts. He refused, claiming that the FBI was infiltrated by KGB agents and that his sources would have been killed.cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Keith Idema's Operation Desert Fraud | work = | publisher =New York Magazine | date =2004-10-04 | url =http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/10121/index1.html | format = | doi = | accessdate =2006-12-17]

It was around this time that Idema was being investigated for wire fraud and eventually convicted in 1994. Idema asserted that the fraud charges were fabricated by FBI agent Earl Edwin Pitts, who he claims supervised the case against him, in retaliation for Idema's earlier refusal to provide sources in the smuggling plot.cite web | last =Farber | first =Barry | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =The Case of Keith Idema | work = | publisher = | date =2004-17-22 | url =http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/7/22/105010.shtml | format = | doi = | accessdate =2006-12-17] However, the FBI began their investigation into Idema's activities as early as May 1991, before he even approached the Bureau about Lithuania.cite web | last =Bergen | first =Peter | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Jack Idema: The Shadow Warrior | work = | publisher = | date = | url =http://www.peterbergen.com/bergen/articles/details.aspx?id=219 | format = | doi = | accessdate = ] Furthermore, there is no evidence that Pitts was involved in any capacity in the fraud case against Idema.

Afghanistan

Entry and credentials

Illegal entry into Afghanistan was one of the charges leveled against Idema and two other Americans accompanying him – former soldier Brent Bennett and television journalist Edward Caraballo. That charge was eventually dropped.Fact|date=September 2007

Idema first traveled to Afghanistan in November 2001 to conduct what he said was "humanitarian relief" work.cite news |first=J.S. |last=Newton |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Fayetteville man in Afghanistan |url= |format= |work=Article ID: 750924 |publisher=The Fayetteville Observer |pages= |page= |date=November 27, 2001 |accessdate= |language= |quote= ] It was at this time that he involved himself in the research Robin Moore was conducting for his book "The Hunt for Bin Laden".

According to Gary Scurka, a reporter for CBS, Idema contacted him a few weeks after the September 11 terror attacks and announced he was going to Afghanistan to do humanitarian-aid work, saying he was to work with Knightsbridge International and the Partners International Foundation, two aid groups run by former military personnel. This led to Scurka and Idema presenting a film documentary project for "National Geographic."cite book | last =Pelton | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Licensed to Kill (op. cit.) | publisher = | date = | location = | pages =233 | url = | doi = | id = ]

Idema, Gary Scurka, and Greg Long traveled to Tashkent, Uzbekistan where they were arrested for visa problems and held in a cell overnight. The three were freed after their captors received a letter from the US embassy in Uzbekistan, written by an officer in the US Defense Attache's Office, describing Idema and Scurka as contractors with the department of defense, "contracting officers from the Defense Department who arrived to the Republic of Uzbekistan for an official trip." The letter, which was verified as authentic by the director of the Department of State's press office, was dated November 2, 2001 and asks Uzbekistan's ministry of foreign affairs for help in issuing visas to Idema, Gary Scurka, and Greg Long.

Greg Long was a member of Partners International Foundation. According to sources familiar with Idema's activities in Afghanistan, Idema joined Partners International Foundation at the same time Scurka received a national geographic assignment to produce a documentary on humanitarian aid work in Afghanistan. A memo signed by the president of National Geographic TV says Scurka would be going to Afghanistan with KnightsBridge International, and the leader of KnightsBridge, Ed Artis, would be working with Idema. Artis was sued by Idema.Citation
last = Barnes
first = Greg
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Embassy letter opened doors
newspaper = Fayetteville Observer
pages = 1A, 5A
year = 2004
date = 08-22
url = ]

Author Robert Young Pelton believes that Idema then used those letters and what appears to be a falsified or modified military ID, Idema claimed he had a visa similar to those carried by US special forces, [cite web | title =Profile: Jonathan 'Jack' Idema | publisher =BBC | date =2004-09-15 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3569552.stm| accessdate =2007-07-04] to convince the Afghan commanders and other people of his official status.cite web | title =Dog of War | publisher =Asia Times Online | date =2004-08-21 | url =http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/FH21Ag02.html | accessdate =2007-01-15] [cite book | last =Pelton | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Licensed to Kill (op. cit.) | publisher = | date = | location = | pages = | url = | doi = | id = ]

After Idema entered Afghanistan, both humanitarian organizations quickly became wary of Idema's intentions. In December 2001, Edward Artis, director of Knightsbridge, wrote to U.S. Army Special Operations Command warning them of Idema's activities, stating:

Idema later filed suit against Artis and Knightsbridge but the case was dismissed and a monetary judgement was in turn placed against him.

Activities on the ground

Idema led a group he called "Task Force Saber 7" consisting of two other Americans and several Afghanis. The group may have been operating in Afghanistan with independent financial backing or with funds from two lawsuit settlements Idema had won a few years earlier, one of which was for $1.8 million.cite news |first=Al |last=Greenwood |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Fayetteville man sues Idema |url=http://www.fayobserver.com/article_archive?id=1010770 |format= |work= |publisher=The Fayettevile Observer |pages= |page= |date=July 3, 2005 |accessdate=2007-04-09 |language= |quote= ] cite news |first=Al |last=Greenwood |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Jury awards former soldier $1.8 million |url= |format= |work=Article ID: 727104 |publisher=The Fayettevile Observer |pages= |page= |date=August 16, 2001 |accessdate=2007-04-09 |language= |quote= ] He frequently interacted with reporters, often going to great lengths in his interviews to stress connections with the CIA and Special Forces. Some supporters suggest that he was a former member of an unspecified covert operations unit, reactivated and positioned in Afghanistan to hunt for Osama Bin Laden under operation Alec Station. Relationship to the Northern Alliance was denied by their official representative in the United States.

Some critics of Idema claim that his attempts to create a high profile with the media make it unlikely that Idema was officially connected with any branch of the military; covert operatives go to great lengths to avoid public appearances and media, and are barred from unauthorized contact. The fact that Caraballo, who was not a soldier, was with Idema in Afghanistan to document his activities strained credibility that Idema was operating covertly.cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0407/20/acd.00.html |title=Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees |accessdate= |format= |work=CNN broadcast transcript |quote=Do secret warriors, people working in black ops, do they usually have cameramen following them?]

Idema was known to have a volatile temper that seemed to be particularly directed against news correspondents assigned to Kabul. On several occasions, Idema threatened journalists with bodily harm or death, and in one particular instance, at a dinner in December 2001 he threatened to kill a reporter from "Stars and Stripes" because the reporter had disclosed Idema's fraud conviction.cite web | last =Ehrlich | first =Richard S. | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =U.S. mercenary made his mark with viciousness | work = | publisher =The Washington Times |date=August 28, 2004 | url =http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20040827-110028-6263r.htm | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-03-30 |quote=In one truly terrifying display, Mr. Idema threatened to murder an American reporter working for Stars and Stripes newspaper after the journalist revealed that Mr. Idema served time in a U.S. prison several years earlier for a "white-collar crime."]

It has been recorded that Idema did frequently contact the Defense Department through General William G. Boykin, and that the intelligence was duly acknowledged. However, all of those contacts were outside the US Military operating channels and were all one-sided calls. While the US government was aware of Idema's activities in Afghanistan, they stated there was no relationship between them.

The United States Central Command stated that Coalition forces received one detainee from Idema on May 3, 2004. Idema claimed that the individual was associated with the Taliban. Once in US custody, however, the detainee was determined not to be who Idema claimed, and was released in the first week of July.cite web |url=http://www.arcent.army.mil/media_releases/2004/july/jul22_02.asp |title=News Release No. 04-07-43: Detainee Received from Jonathan Keith Idema | date= July 22, 2004 |accessdate=2007-02-15 |format= |work=Headquarters United States Central Command ]

The United States was not the only government that had contact with Idema in Afghanistan; On three occasions, Idema tricked the Canadian led NATO mission into providing explosives experts and bomb sniffing dogs.cite web |title=Mercenaries dupe ISAF soldiers in Afghanistan |publisher=CBC news |date= 2004-07-15 |url =http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2004/07/14/isaf_afghanistan040714.html |accessdate= 2007-02-14] According to a spokesman for the ISAF, Idema called for and received technical support after his vigilante team raided compounds on June 20, 22, and 24 of 2004. ISAF personnel believed they were "providing legitimate support to a legitimate security agency."

Idema also received assistance from Yunus Qanooni; former minister, senior Afghan government security advisor, and influential member of the Northern Alliance.cite web |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/08/24/2003200009 |title=Footage gives credence to torture suspects' claims |accessdate=2007-03-10 |format= |work= ] In one video tape presented at Idema's trial, Yunus Qanooni thanked Idema for uncovering an assassination plot against him. In the same tape Qanooni volunteered his personal security troops to help Idema with arrests. [cite news |first=Pamela |last=Constable |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Alleged Vigilantes Show Footage of Afghan Operations U.S. Defendants Seen Meeting Officials |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A25353-2004Aug23?language=printer |format= |work= |publisher=Washington Post |pages= |page= |date=2004-08-24 |accessdate=2007-09-14 |language= |quote= ] Another tape appeared to show Qanooni's forces assisting Idema in a house raid.

On July 4, 2004 the United States Central Command released a media advisory that read: cquote|U.S. citizen Jonathan K. Idema has allegedly represented himself as an American government and/or military official. The public should be aware that Idema does not represent the American government and we do not employ him.cite web |title= Detainee Received from Jonathan Keith Idema | publisher =Headquarters United States Central Command | date =2004-07-22 | url =http://www.arcent.army.mil/media_releases/2004/july/jul22_02.asp | accessdate =2006-12-26]

In perhaps the most terse assessment of Idema's alleged involvement in Operation Enduring Freedom, Billy Waugh, senior CIA covert operative and decorated former Green Beret who was a member of the Agency-run "Jawbreaker" team, said: cquote|We only had 80 guys involved in our [Afghanistan] operations and Idema wasn't one of them.cite book | last = Pelton| first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = op. cit.| publisher = | date = | location = | pages = 239| url = | doi = | id = ]

Arrest, trial and sentencing

Idema and his associates Brent Bennett and Edward Caraballo were arrested on July 5, 2004 by Afghan police during a raid in which they found eight Afghani men (some hanging from their feet) bound and hooded in detention. The arrest of Idema occurred only about three months after "60 Minutes II" broke the story about the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal.

Idema claimed to have had private contact with Lieutenant General Boykin and several other senior Pentagon officials. He tried further to prove his official status when he claimed to be working for the US Counter Terrorism group, this is the same group that some sources say he founded.cite web
last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Private Jail Leads to Trial | work = | publisher =Washington Post | date =2004-08-16
url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A3653-2004Aug15?language=printer | format =
doi = | accessdate =2007-03-07] He claimed his group had prevented assassination attempts on Education Minister Yunus Qanooni and Defense Minister Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim. He also claimed the FBI interrogated several militants captured by his group and that after his arrest, the FBI removed from his premises hundreds of videos, photos and documents. Some of the pieces were later returned to Idema and his defense team. One of the videotapes shows Afghanistan's former education minister Yunus Qanooni thanking Idema for the arrest of two people, and offering his full cooperation in future raids.

The Defense Department admitted having contact with Idema and accepting one prisoner from Idema who was held for a month by the US militarycite web | last = Tulley | first = Andrew | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =US now linked to 'vigilantes' in Afghanistan | work = | publisher =Asia Times Online | month = July | year = 2004 | url =http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/FG24Ag01.html | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-09-14] but added that officials declined his offer to work with the government in capturing terror suspects in Afghanistan. In early 2004, Idema was in contact with Heather Anderson, the Pentagon's Acting Director of Security. Anderson was under the supervision of the chief official responsible for intelligence matters in Donald Rumsfeld's office. Idema told the Afghan court that Anderson commended his work and suggested making a contract. Anderson said she later turned down Idema's request to work in Afghanistan for the Pentagon. Idema continued to contact Anderson's office in hopes of establishing a relationship. [cite web | last = North | first = Andrew | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = US admits 'bounty hunter' contact | work = | publisher =BBC | month = August | year = 2004 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3601030.stm | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-06-02]

Idema, Caraballo and Bennett were charged with entering the country illegallyFact|contrasts with another citation needed|date=September 2007, running a private prison, and torture.cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Keith Idema's Operation Desert Fraud | work = | publisher =New York Magazine | date =2004-10-04 | url =http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/10121/index1.html | format = | doi = | accessdate =2006-12-18] Idema's American attorney was John Tiffany. During the trial, Idema charged that he, Caraballo, and Bennett were being beaten while in Afghan custody, however, US authorities, stated the men were being treated humanely.

On 15 September 2004, a three-judge Afghan panel headed by Judge Abdul Baset Bakhtyari sentenced both Idema and Bennett to a ten year prison term, while Caraballo received eight years. Idema and Bennett's sentences were later cut to five and three respectively. Caraballo claimed he was filming Idema and Bennett for a documentary on counterterrorism. Four Afghanis working with Idema were sentenced to between one and five years imprisonment.

Caraballo was later pardoned by President Hamid Karzai and later returned to the United States. Bennett was freed early for good behavior on September 30, 2006.

Caraballo's lawyer said that the day before Caraballo left Afghanastan, Caraballo and Bennett lived in a filthy 6 by 8-foot cell with four suspected Al Qaida terrorists, the American prisoners were moved to a different prison for better protection. [cite news |first=Greg |last=Barnes |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Idema moved to new prison |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FV&p_theme=fv&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=idema%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(%22idema%22)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |format= |work=Article ID: 965377 |publisher=The Fayetteville Observer |pages= |page= |date=September 25, 2004 |accessdate= |language= |quote= ] In a more recent assessment, the cell in which the prisoners lived was described as "posh". [cite news |first=Greg |last=Barnes |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Court cuts Idema time |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FV&p_theme=fv&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=idema%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(%22idema%22)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |format= |work=Article ID: 996570 |publisher=The Fayetteville Observer |pages= |page= |date=April 1, 2005 |accessdate= |language= |quote= ]

Amnesty and refusal to leave prison

On April 10, 2007, the Associated Press reported that Idema would soon be released from prison and then sent back to the United States, and that the Afghan government has granted him amnesty.cite news |first=Matt |last=Apuzzo |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Idema to leave Afghan prison |url=http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=259510 |format= |work=Associated Press |publisher=The Fayettevile Observer |pages= |page= |date=April 11, 2007 |accessdate=2007-04-11 |language= |quote= ] However, under the amnesty that commuted his sentence he was effectively released on April 4.

Idema refused to leave the prison, first demanding that his passport, personal effects, and documents that he says proves his official connection with the U.S. government be returned to him. According to him, he was owed compensation for $500,000 worth of equipment, mostly computers, weapons and cameras, that was confiscated by the Afghan government when he was arrested.cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=American convict decides to stay in Afghan jail despite president's pardon |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/29/asia/AS-GEN-Afghan-US-Prisoner.php |format= |work=Associated Press |publisher=International Herald Tribute |pages= |page= |date= May 28, 2007|accessdate=2007-06-04 |language= |quote= ] Having obtained through the offices of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul a new passport as well as money to apply for a visa to India, Idema insisted that his belongings be returned and that a pet dog previously owned by Bennett be allowed to travel with him. ["J.K. Idema, et al., v. Ronald Neumann, et al.", No.5 CV 2064 (EGS), United States District Court for the District of Columbia, "Reply Memorandum in Support of Respondents' Motion to Dismiss on Grounds of Mootness"] ["J.K. Idema, et al., v. Ronald Neumann, et al.", No.5 CV 2064 (EGS), United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Exhibit 1: "Supplemental Declaration of Edward P. Birsner."]

He also filed another lawsuit against the U.S. government, reaffirming allegations initially made in 2005 that he and his associates had been illegally imprisoned, except that this time, Idema was claiming that he was in fact tortured. According to U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, "Petitioners allege that United States officials ordered their arrest, ordered their torture, stole exculpatory evidence during their trial and appeal, exerted undue influence over Afghan judges, and either directly or indirectly ordered judges who found petitioners innocent not to release petitioners from prison." This was a shift from the earlier strategy on the part of Idema to exonerate himself on the basis that he was acting on a Pentagon-approved mission. Instead the focus was on the trial itself, specifically whether or not due process was observed, with the added claim of being a torture victim. In both instances Idema accused the U.S. government of deliberately withholding information. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=US 'to release Kabul trial files' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3568670.stm |format= |work= |publisher=BBC |pages= |page= |date= August 16, 2004|accessdate=2007-07-04 |language= ]

Judge Sullivan subsequently ordered the FBI and the U.S. Department of State to answer the allegations. Attorneys from the U.S. Justice Department have requested the case be dismissed on the grounds that Idema's sentence had been commuted.cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Afghanistan set to release American convicted of torturing detainees |url=http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2007/04/afghanistan-set-to-release-american.php |format= |work=University of Pittsburgh School of Law |publisher=Jurist |pages= |page= |date=April 10, 2007 |accessdate=2007-04-11 |language= ] Idema's lawyer said the government coordinated Idema's amnesty to avoid having to respond to allegations of misconduct.cite news |first=Matt |last=Apuzzo |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Imprisoned terrorist hunter to be freed |url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070410/ap_on_go_ot/afghan_us_prisoner |format= |work= |publisher=Yahoo |pages= |page= |date=2007-04-10 |accessdate=2007-04-20 |language= |quote= ] ["J.K. Idema, et al., v. Ronald Neumann, et al.", No.5 CV 2064 (EGS), United States District Court for the District of Columbia, "Reply Memorandum in Support of Respondents' Motion to Dismiss on Grounds of Mootness"]

Idema's post amnesty allegations of withheld evidence were originally made during his Afghan trial in 2004. When the men were arrested in early July, the tapes were confiscated by the FBI. Caraballo's lawyer, Michael Skibbie, claims that he was only allowed to access a portion of the tapes weeks after he requested access. Several of the tapes were used; however, Skibbie said several important tapes were damaged, missing or partly erased after the FBI took custody of them. Some of the footage Skibbie obtained was shown in court. The court tapes showed Idema being greeted at an airport by high level Afghan officials, Idema being thanked by Yunus Qanuni, Qanooni's troops working with Idema, captured suspects confessing during interrogation, and ISAF forces helping Idema. [cite news |first=Pamela |last=Constable |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Alleged Vigilantes Show Footage of Afghan Operations U.S. Defendants Seen Meeting Officials |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A25353-2004Aug23?language=printer |format= |work= |publisher=Washington Post |pages= |page= |date=2004-08-24 |accessdate=2007-09-14 |language= |quote= ]

As he was playing out his legal options, Idema said that another reason he hadn't left was because he feared for his life, ostensibly at the hands of the Afghan government. "I could drive through the Policharki [sic] gates right now. Then what happens? I get arrested. [The intelligence service] will arrest me for not having an Afghan visa and they'll torture me and kill me. If I'm lucky, I'm only going to be tortured," he said.On June 2, 2007, Idema left the prison and was immediately flown out of the country.

Relationship with the media

Idema had some success convincing members of the media that he was a terrorism expert. This allowed him to secure interviews and in some instances get his "terrorism videos" broadcast on television. After indicating to journalists that he had the videos in his possession, he would usually agree to provide them in exchange for money. [cite book | last =Pelton | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Licensed to Kill (op. cit.) | publisher = | date = | location = | pages =237-238 | url = | doi = | id = ] Since Idema's questionable history has come to light, the news media has been criticized for its willingness to distribute any content or information coming from him.

Lithuania

In 1995, while Idema was awaiting sentencing for fraud charges, he agreed to provide information to CBS about the nuclear materials smuggling plot he allegedly uncovered. Gary Scurka produced a "60 Minutes" piece entitled "The Worst Nightmare", based in part on Idema's account. According to Scurka, the network declined to credit Idema during the broadcast because of the fraud conviction, even though he was a major source for the story. A CBS spokesperson, however, claimed that the story took 6 months to fully investigate, at which time it ended up being very different from the one Idema gave. Both the "60 Minutes" story and a companion piece published in "U.S. News & World Report" received the prestigious Renner Award for Outstanding Crime Reporting.cite web |url=http://www.ire.org/contest/past/1995.html |title=Past IRE Awards, 1995 |accessdate= |format= |work=Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. ]

The lack of credit given to Idema prompted Scurka and Caraballo to begin making a documentary film with the working title, "Any Lesser Man: The Keith Idema Story". According to promotional materials, the documentary was to be "the real story of one lone Green Beret's private war against KGB Nuclear Smuggling, Soviet spies, Arab terrorists, and the FBI." It was never completed.

Marecek murder trial

Idema and Scurka again worked together as consultants for the "48 hours" story about Colonel George Marecek, a highly decorated Special Forces soldier accused and later convicted of murdering his wife. The two were fired from the project because they were determined to be taking an advocacy role for the defense. They opened a "Free Marecek" office in the town where the trial was taking place. In December 2000, "48 Hours" ran the story on Marecek which included material from Idema, and Scurka's research.cite web | last =Blake | first =Mariah
authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Tin Soldier: An American Vigilante In Afghanistan, Using the Press for Profit and Glory | work =
publisher =Columbia Journalism Review | date =2005-01 | url =http://cjr.org/issues/2005/1/blake-soldier.asp | format = | doi = | accessdate =2006-12-27] Idema also took a leading part in the formation of Point Blank News (PBN) to support Marecek.cite web |url=http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/family/george_marecek/index.html |title= Officer's Privilege: The Col. George Marecek story |accessdate=2007-01-10 |format= |work= ]

eptember 11th attacks

On the day following the attacks, Idema gave an interview as a "counterterrorism adviser" to KTTV, the Fox network affiliate in Los Angeles. During his broadcast news appearance, he said that the hijackers might have seized three Canadian jetliners, in addition to four American planes.

Afghanistan

Al Qaeda hoax training footage

Idema sold tapes to many publishers that he claimed showed an Al Qaeda training camp in action. The tapes showed men in camouflaged tunics and ski masks storming buildings, practicing drive-by shootings, and attacking golf courses. CBS bought the right to broadcast the tapes before any other network, they were used in a "60 Minutes II" episode called, "Heart of Darkness" in mid January, 2002. CBS presented Idema and the tapes he supplied as reliable.cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Heart of Darkness | work = | publisher =CBS Worldwide Inc. | date =2002-01-17 | url =http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/01/16/60II/main324592.shtml | format = | doi = | accessdate =2006-12-31]

Idema made more money from the same tapes when he sold them to "The Boston Globe", MSNBC, ABC, NBC, the BBC, and others rights to rebroadcast the Al Qaeda training camp footage with still pictures.

The authenticity of the several hours of tape is disputed because the supposed tactics shown are not ones Al Qaeda operatives utilize. Moreover, men who were shown in the footage occasionally communicated in English, and laughed, providing credence to the notion that the tapes were fake and entirely staged. Some major outlets, including "NBC Nightly news" and CNN declined to broadcast the tapes because of the credibility issue.

tate-sponsored terrorism

Idema sought to show that he had inside knowledge of Al Qaeda's collaboration with state governments, although his statements would not be considered particularly insightful or original. For instance, he has made suggestions that there was collaboration among North Korea, several Middle-Eastern countries and Al Qaeda, and that was ample evidence linking "Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia to Al Qaeda and to the attacks on September 11," and that in Afghanistan, the link between Iraq and Al Qaeda was "common knowledge." He also has said that Iraq under Saddam Hussein was a supporter of Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations "with money, with equipment, with technology, with weapons of mass destruction."cite web | last =Lopate | first =Leonard | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Behind The Lines | work = | publisher =Columbia Journalism Review | date =2003-03-06 | url =http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/2003/03/06 | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-01-10] He also claimed to have firsthand knowledge of nuclear weapons being smuggled from Russia to Iraq, Iran, and North Korea.

Media coverage

* "Task Force Dagger: The Hunt for bin Laden" (ISBN 0-375-50861-9), by "The Green Berets" author Robin Moore, had sections devoted to Idema, referred to in the book as a special forces operative named "Jack" (he was also featured on the book's cover). Unknown to Moore, Idema had added a number of fictional episodes to the book that he would later use to support his claims. In the manuscript Idema also included appeals for donations to charities listed under his and his wife's address – charities that have since come under investigation. He managed to do this by altering the final manuscript without Moore's consent before it was sent to the publisher. Random House quietly dropped the book from print after publishing what had become a work of fiction that even its author had disavowed. Moore has since regretted Idema's involvement and insisted that the publisher refused to include his corrections.
* Robert Young Pelton, in his book about private security contractors, "Licenced to Kill: Hired Guns in the War on Terror" (ISBN 1-4000-9781-9), devotes a chapter to Idema's exploits in Afghanistan, including his controversial involvement in Moore's book "Task Force Dagger: The Hunt for bin Laden".
* Mariah Blake, [http://www.cjr.org/issues/2005/1/blake-soldier.asp "Tin Soldier: An American Vigilante In Afghanistan, Using the Press for Profit and Glory,"] "Columbia Journalism Review," January/February 2005.
* Stacy Sullivan, [http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/10121/ "Operation Desert Fraud: How Keith Idema marketed his imaginary Afghan war,"] "New York Magazine", October 25, 2004.
* Peter Bergen's article published in "Rolling Stone", [http://www.peterbergen.com/bergen/articles/details.aspx?id=219 "Jack Idema: Shadow Warrior,"] examines Idema's military career.
* Eric Campbell's book on reporting in war zones, "Absuridstan" (ISBN 0-7322-7980-1), has a few chapters on Idema.
* Idema's claims are given full support in Barry Farber's "NewsMax" column [http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/7/22/105010.shtml "The Case Against Keith Idema] , July 22, 2004.
* "Newsweek" had a short section on Idema called "An Afghan Mystery" by John Barry and Owen Matthews in the July 26, 2004 edition.

ee also

*David Passaro

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3569552.stm BBC News profile of Idema]
* [http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/cops_others/jonathan_idema/index.html Jonathan Idema: Our Man in Kabul?] , from crimelibrary.com.
* [http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s1317953.htm Transcript of an episode of "Mediawatch" from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation] about the al Qaeda tape controversy. Includes links to email documents from Idema to "60 Minutes", images of Idema allegedly interrogating Afghanis, and a copy of his military record.
* [http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,SOF_0804_Idema,00.html US Bounty Hunter Trial] , General material about his actions and information about the Al Qaeda training videos he found. Describes the arrest and trial.
*cite news
url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1314912004
title='Luxury' cell in Afghan jail for bounty hunter
author=Colin Freeman
publisher=The Scotsman
date=November 14 2004
accessdate=2007-09-25
*cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3912403.stm
title=Kabul 'bounty hunter' accuses US
date= July 21, 2004
publisher=BBC
accessdate=2007-09-25
*cite news
url=http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,SOF_0804_Idema,00.html
title=U.S. Bounty Hunter on Trial in Afghanistan
publisher=Military.com
author=Martin Brass
year=2004
accessdate=2007-09-25

References