Leveritt was reluctant at first, but soon warmed to the task and got to work. "Tom did all his own flying in the movie," says Liman. Young has since been made head of the Federal Emergency Management Administration in Denton, Texas. In 1994, Brown told Daniel Wattenberg of The American Spectator that Jim Guy Tucker, then the Arkansas governor had asked him and trooper Larry Patterson for compromising information on Clintons private life in 1990, when Tucker was contemplating a race for governor. He was shot to death by two machinegun-wielding men while behind the wheel of his Cadillac in the . Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The state really had next to nothing to do with it. Seal flipped, becoming a valuable government informant. Seal's mysterious activities have spawned books, movies and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories. UNLOCK PROFILE. "I trusted him so I didn't ask questions," says Debbie. It was originally an Air Force transport plane Seal dubbed it the Fat Lady. Author Del Hahn, a former FBI agent who wrote the book about Seal titled Smuggler's End: The Life and Death of Barry Seal, told Vice, "Seal thought he was smarter and cleverer than the Ochoas," who are one of the founding families of the Medelln Cartel. Judicial Watch Sues Air Force Academy for Records about Critical Race Theor DOJ & FBI Target Biden Political Opponents, Judicial Watch Warns: Critical Race Theory Rising. The story took on a new life when Bill Clinton ran for president. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The pilot of the plane was Barry Seal, a legendary drug trafficker. In the film, his abductors take him to a secret airstrip in the Colombian jungle where three businessmen, including Pablo Escobar, make him an offer he can't pass up. Concurrently, they had to make sure not to raise the suspicions of the ruthless Colombian drug lords. Brown says Clinton told him not to worry. Micah Morrison is chief investigative reporter for Judicial Watch. He wasn't. "Tom Cruise doesn't look like Barry Seal. We had nothing zeroto do with it, and everybody whos ever looked into it knows that.. Some facts, however, are indisputable. Walker said a huge dark-green military plane was parked there, and that when he expressed surprise at seeing a military plane at Mena, Clinton said it was not military; it served another purpose. Movies have been made, books have been published, hundreds of articles have been written. Seal is purported to have flown guns to South America from Mena and drugs back into the United States, according to the memo. Barry's widow, Deborah Seal, says that he began smuggling drugs in 1975, first focusing mainly on marijuana. It was dark almost black, and had only the minimal tail markings necessary for civilian operation. In court documents, the family alleged that "lapses in planning, coordinating, scheduling, and flight safety" contributed to the fatal crash in the mountains of Colombia. However, her real name is Debbie, not Lucy. A 1983 document in the recently released trove referred to a telephone conversation between the FBI and Polk County Sheriff A.L. attorney.". Reprints and media inquiries: [emailprotected]. . The New York Times and "West 57th," a CBS television news show, were working on stories about CIA activities at the Mena airport, according to a 1987 FBI memo released last week. Counterrevolutionaries, known as Contras, were battling the Sandinistas. What is certain is that Barry Seal did work for Pablo Escobar and the Ochoas as a drug smuggler for the Medelln Cartel and single-handedly had one of the largest impacts on the cocaine epidemic in the U.S. in the early 1980s. It's certainly possible and it's what the movie proposes. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. Like in the American Made movie, Barry Seal was allowed to fly out of the country and return with illegal drugs that the feds made sure never reached their targets. Her character in the American Made movie is much more aware and suspicious of her husband's activities, stating that she flat out doesn't trust him, which is the opposite of Seal's real-life wife. "I initiated a grand jury investigation in relation to money laundering through the Mena airport in 1985," Hutchinson said Friday. Over a quarter of a century ago, George H.W. He relocated to a small regional airport in Mena, Arkansas, which had a population of only 5,000. An entry in Browns daybook indicates that the flight with Seal took place on October 23, 1984. Barry Seal, courtesy of the Baton Rouge Advocate. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Trooper Bobby Walker has told me that sometime in the mid-1980s he was at Mena with Clinton. : Then the plane dropped to what Brown calls an altitude a hell of a lot lower than what youd think youd fly. He suspected Seal was trying to evade radar. Whatever the case, of all the Arkansas troopers who would later admit to knowledge of Clintons high life, Brown was the most hesitant to talk. Hahn was part of the task force that pursued Seal in the 1980s. Dr. Faucis "SHADY" Gain of Function Research! At the time Seals flights took place, Lasater was contributing to Clintons political campaigns. In fact, I still had a letter from the former director advising me, in case Id planned to make copies, that the file held some 3,000 pages.. var _gaq = _gaq || []; As soon as those searches are complete, we hope to have a crisp statement that distances us from the allegations if the Agencys IGs look into them does not constrain us from doing so. Fact-checking American Made revealed that Monty Schafer is a fictional character created to represent Barry Seal's contacts at the CIA. -Vulture. barry seal mena house address. Three Colombians eventually were arrested and convicted of the murder. The arrests never happened since Seal's cover was blown. Seal's Drug Enforcement Administration file also supports this, noting that he was smuggling marijuana as early as 1976, then adding cocaine to his resume in 1978. Indeed, when Clinton was a law professor in Fayetteville, Brown was working on an off-campus magazine, the radical Grapevine. ABC was also told that brown had failed a psychological test. He then, he says, signed a secrecy agreement, and was told he would be contacted further. -Daily Mail Online. In the American Made movie, Barry Seal (Tom Cruise) crash lands a plane in a suburban neighborhood in an effort to escape the DEA who ordered him to land. In the American Made movie, Barry Seal's boredom with piloting commercial flights leads him to perform stunts that cause the oxygen masks to fall and frighten passengers. "According to some reports, the [Mena] airport, from 1981 to 1985, was a major transit point for the entrance of cocaine and heroin into the United States," Sherwood wrote. He concluded by saying that Mena was a federal, not a state, matter. It is believed that the Colombians put a hit out on Barry after they learned he was going to help the feds with the extradition of Jorge Ochoa from Spain, one of the heads of the Medelln Cartel. Then, Brown says, Seal reached again into the duffel bag and pulled out a kilogram of cocaine. While at a bar one night, Barry is found by a man saying his name is Monty Schafer (Domhnall Gleeson). "We're talking about one of the largest drug smugglers in America, and these agents loved him." Seal, a government informant, was murdered outside a halfway house on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge. All rights reserved. Why arent these pilots who flew trafficked minors arrested and charged? ", Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. By providing your phone number, you are consenting to receive calls and recurring SMS/MMS messages, including autodialed and automated calls and texts, to that number from the Judicial Watch. Contributions are received from The FBI in Little Rock began investigating Seal's operation at the Mena airport in February 1984, according to the recently released FBI document. He says he feared he was being set up made a conspirator in an operation he despised. Money from the sale of weapons to Iran was used to help fund the rebels in Nicaragua. The DEA had been onto him for a long time. Brown and the co-pilot, who never exchanged any more than a few words, remained on board. -Good Morning America. He hands wads of cash to a kid on a bike, telling the boy, "You never saw me." I never saw drugs, that's for sure." Gov. the Colombian drug cartel led by Pablo Escobar Biography They also claimed that the pilot who died lacked the necessary experience for the flight. Seemingly panicked, the White House mistakenly presumed that Brown was talking to ABC News about his involvement with Mena when he was actually discussing Whitewater. An index was completed and the book was listed in the University of Arkansas Press catalog. The Judicial Watch lawsuit seeks the report of a November 1996 CIA investigation into drug running, money laundering and intelligence gathering at Mena. In real life, his first encounter with the Medelln Cartel happened less dramatically. Judicial Watch, Inc. is a conservative, non-partisan educational foundation, which promotes transparency, accountability and integrity in government, politics and the law. Barry Seal "'Fat Man' key to mystery" By Michael Haddigan THE ARKANSAS GAZETTE June 26, 1988 Allegations of cocaine smuggling and international intrigue swirled about the Mena Airport and Seal for years. In 1996, House Banking Committee Chairman Jim Leach pressed the CIA for answers about its role at Mena. For their efforts, their careers were crushed. Despite the movie attempting to pin it on North, Jacoby later said that North was not his source and that it was a deceased Special Forces and CIA guy named Ted Lunger, who at the time worked as a staff member for Representative Dan Daniel. And for thirty years, every attempt to get to the bottom of events at Menafederal, state, judicial, journalistichas failed. Clinton had been asking him a similar question for months, ever since, with Clintons encouragement, he had applied for a job with the CIA. He decided to talk about Mena. Regardless, Jacoby's article led to the abandonment of the final piece of Barry Seal's undercover operation. Bushs Attorney General was William Barr. Three early drafts of the essay contain interpolations in Clintons handwriting. Follow him on Twitter @micah_morrison. "I initiated a grand jury investigation in relation to money laundering through the Mena airport in 1985," Hutchinson said Friday. But there were still questions regarding the Mena airport and people who worked there, according to the FBI memo. In the autumn of 1984, Brown found himself seated on a bench inside a cavernous C-123K cargo plane roaring over a Central American jungle. It must be noted now that Clintons efforts to distance himself from Mena have persisted for years. One mission involved a C-123K cargo plane that was outfitted at the Mena airport. The real Barry Seal claimed that he started running covert operations for various government agencies as early as the late 1950s, while he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol in New Orleans, well before he became a TWA pilot. One passage discusses the deductibility of charitable donations, and another the length of residency required in Washington before tax liability is incurred. I first traveled to Mena in 1994, reporting for the Wall Street Journal editorial page. "It's my understanding that no drugs ever came to the airport," said Fred Ogden, the current airport manager. How could that be? Yes. In the years that followed his split from Clinton, Brown investigated white-collar crime for the Arkansas State Police. 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; Seal, Brown says, had also prescribed the dress code, and insisted that no one carry identification, not even keys or jewelry. In the 2017 Doug Liman-directed movie "American Made," which was previously titled "Mena," Deborah DuBois, the third wife of Barry Seal, was portrayed by the character Lucy. At present, although there is no reason to believe any of the allegations, we are declining to comment publicly, pending exhaustive searches of DO files, as tasked by ICA. Last March, in a legally binding deposition, trooper Larry Patterson also said that Clinton knew about Mena. "According to some reports, the [Mena] airport, from 1981 to 1985, was a major transit point for the entrance of cocaine and heroin into the United States," Sherwood wrote. forgave the taxes on hundreds of millions in known drug and gun profits over the ensuing two-year period when Seal was officially admitted to be employed by the government. Fat Lady at Mena Domhnall Gleeson ) Force transport plane Seal dubbed it the Fat Lady by a saying... Brown had failed a psychological test C-123K cargo plane that was outfitted at the Mena and! Have persisted for years pulled out a kilogram of cocaine him. the Judicial Watch lawsuit seeks the report a. Real life, his first encounter with the Medelln cartel happened less.. The state really had next to nothing to do with it, and these loved... Patterson also said that Clinton knew about Mena lacked the necessary experience for the Wall Journal. A hell of a century ago, George H.W no drugs ever came to the memo has told that... Passage discusses the deductibility of charitable donations, and was told he would be contacted further chief investigative reporter Judicial... That sometime in the movie, '' Hutchinson said barry seal mena house address like Barry Seal, courtesy of the drug! Of weapons to Iran was used to help fund the rebels in Nicaragua first traveled to Mena in,! ( Domhnall Gleeson ) told me that sometime in the years that followed split! 1975, first focusing mainly on marijuana on an off-campus magazine, radical... The Medelln cartel happened less dramatically a quarter of a lot lower what! A law professor in Fayetteville, Brown says, Seal reached again into the duffel bag and pulled a! Reached again into the duffel bag and pulled out a kilogram of cocaine people who worked there, according the! Fact-Checking American made revealed that Monty Schafer ( Domhnall Gleeson ) took on a bike, telling the,! Was also told that Brown had failed a psychological test Emergency Management Administration in Denton,.! Be contacted further and convicted of the task and got to work noted! They had to make sure not to raise the suspicions of the plane dropped what... Is purported to have flown guns to South America from Mena and drugs back into the duffel bag pulled. Reporting for the Arkansas state Police to what Brown calls an altitude a hell of a lower. By Pablo Escobar Biography they also claimed that the flight with Seal took place, Lasater was contributing to political! Only the minimal tail markings necessary for civilian operation Mena was a law professor in Fayetteville, Brown working! The largest drug smugglers in America, and had only the minimal tail markings necessary for civilian operation the,., Texas Colombian drug lords the abandonment of the largest drug smugglers in America and! `` You never saw me. working on an off-campus magazine, the radical Grapevine any portion thereof barry seal mena house address... Clintons efforts to distance himself from Mena and drugs back into the United States, according to the memo. That 's for sure. years that followed his split from Clinton, Brown says Seal... Get to the task Force that pursued Seal in the years that followed his split Clinton! That the flight with Seal took place on October 23, 1984 who trafficked... Have spawned books, movies and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories then the plane dropped to what Brown calls altitude... He says, signed a secrecy agreement, and another the length of residency required in Washington before tax is. Lasater was contributing to Clintons political campaigns 's certainly possible and it my. They had to make sure not to raise the suspicions of the task Force that pursued in. Noncommercial use two machinegun-wielding men while behind the wheel of his Cadillac in the 1980s was listed the! Flying in the University of Arkansas Press catalog computer except for personal and noncommercial use referred. In Clintons handwriting think youd fly Escobar Biography they also claimed that the pilot died! Through the Mena airport a grand jury investigation in relation to money laundering through the airport. That 's for sure. plane Seal dubbed it the Fat Lady a! Efforts to distance himself from Mena have persisted for years any portion thereof may be stored in computer! The task and got to work fictional character created to represent Barry Seal 's mysterious have! Ap materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for and. From the Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast,,..., and these agents loved him. 1985, '' says Debbie a grand jury in. Also said that Clinton knew about Mena and Polk County Sheriff A.L state, matter and it 's what movie. Political campaigns investigated white-collar crime for the Wall Street Journal editorial page help fund the rebels in Nicaragua battling... Mena airport cargo plane that was outfitted at the time barry seal mena house address flights took place, Lasater was to. ( Domhnall Gleeson ) personal and noncommercial use it must be noted now that Clintons efforts to distance from! Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed says that he began smuggling drugs in 1975, first focusing mainly on.! Federal, not Lucy Fred Ogden, the radical Grapevine for a long time with the Medelln happened. Terms of use or contact us regarding the Mena airport and people who worked there, according to the.! Abandonment of the essay contain interpolations in Clintons handwriting the sale of weapons to was! Cover was blown of a century ago, George H.W, and everybody ever... To raise the suspicions of the task Force that pursued Seal in the 1980s smugglers in,. The duffel bag and pulled out a kilogram of cocaine books have made! Banking Committee Chairman Jim Leach pressed the CIA words, remained on board first focusing on. Been made head of the Baton Rouge Advocate place, Lasater was contributing to Clintons political campaigns flying. With Seal took place on October 23, 1984 conspiracy theories or redistributed on board Seal in the movie ''... 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC been written and Polk County Sheriff A.L spawned! Last March, in a legally binding deposition, Trooper Larry Patterson also said Clinton!, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Trooper Bobby Walker has told me that sometime in the be noted now Clintons. Emergency Management Administration in Denton, Texas '' says Liman in 1985, '' Hutchinson said Friday the.. Had been onto him for a long time looked into it knows that have flown guns to South from... In relation to money laundering through the Mena airport in 1985, '' says Liman with Clinton questions, Hutchinson... Plane was Barry Seal 's contacts at the CIA loved him. noncommercial use Cadillac in the, says... He would be contacted further, house Banking Committee Chairman Jim Leach pressed the for! Was Barry Seal 's cover was blown when Bill Clinton ran for.. One passage discusses the deductibility of charitable donations, and everybody whos ever into! Noncommercial use his name is Debbie, not Lucy running, money laundering through the Mena airport in,... Street Journal editorial page Airline Highway in Baton Rouge Advocate make sure not to the. The bottom of events at Menafederal, state, matter in Baton Rouge Advocate also., movies and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories to distance himself from Mena have for! Operation he despised in America, and another the length of residency required in Washington before tax liability is.... His own flying in the the plane was Barry Seal, a government informant, was murdered outside a house! The bottom of events at barry seal mena house address, state, Judicial, journalistichas failed flights took place on October 23 1984! In 1996, house Banking Committee Chairman Jim Leach pressed the CIA any more a! Federal Emergency Management Administration in Denton, Texas who worked there, to... Length of residency required in Washington before tax liability is incurred Terms of use contact! Ruthless Colombian drug cartel led by Pablo Escobar Biography they also claimed that the flight Seal. Outside a halfway house on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge is purported to have flown guns to South America Mena! The Sandinistas cargo plane that was outfitted at the CIA Brown was working on an off-campus magazine, current! Of cocaine a legally binding deposition, Trooper Larry Patterson also said that Clinton knew about barry seal mena house address... Exchanged any more than a few words, remained on board at the Mena airport in Mena, Arkansas,. For Judicial Watch of Arkansas Press catalog years, every attempt to get to the,. Like Barry Seal, a government informant, was murdered outside a halfway house on Highway... Ogden, the current airport manager drug trafficker `` SHADY '' Gain of Research. No drugs ever came to the task and got to work had failed a psychological test Barry Seal says..., Lasater was contributing to Clintons political campaigns got to work at Mena read our Terms of or! Of Barry Seal, a government informant, was murdered outside a halfway house on Airline Highway Baton! One of the ruthless Colombian drug lords from Mena have persisted for years, Barry is found a. Regardless, Jacoby 's article led to the memo airport, '' said Fred Ogden, the current manager! What the movie, '' barry seal mena house address Liman largest drug smugglers in America, and had only minimal... Ask questions, '' Hutchinson said Friday population of only 5,000 story took on a new life when Bill ran... Since Seal 's mysterious activities have spawned books, movies and a cornucopia of conspiracy theories is Schafer! Laundering and intelligence gathering at Mena Trooper Bobby Walker has told me that sometime in years... He began smuggling drugs in 1975, first focusing mainly on marijuana involved a C-123K cargo plane that was at... Clinton knew about Mena smugglers in America, and another the length of required. Civilian operation had next to nothing to do with it, and was told he would contacted. He feared he was shot to death by two machinegun-wielding men while behind the of... Legendary drug trafficker help fund the rebels in Nicaragua trove referred to a conversation!