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Couple associated with Russian spy ring arrested in Arlington
Published: 30 June, 2010, 03:13
Edited: 01 July, 2010, 04:59
TAGS: Crime, Scandal, Russia, Politics, Law, USA
Two out of the ten people who are in federal custody, accused of acting as Russian intelligence agents, lived in Arlington, VA near the Pentagon.
The man who called himself Michael Zottoli along with his wife, who went by the name Patricia Mills, was living in a high rise building. It had a round-the-clock security guard and was footsteps away from a shopping mall, and across the street from a park. Most neighbors had the same reaction upon finding out the couple was arrested and accused of being Russian agents.
“It’s pretty shocking,” said Scott Inouye. “I didn’t think stuff like this still went on.”
“We’re not from the city so we were surprised,” said Erica Whitelaw, whose mother lived in the building. “The FBI is kind of a big deal.”
“That surprises me because I thought relations were a little bit better with Russia and the United States these days,” said Kathy Mizerak.
Witnesses say more than a dozen agents came into the building, known as “The River House,” Sunday night before arresting the couple and searching their apartment.
“My mom works with FEMA and she said she saw two FBI agents show their badges and go into the basement or go into the parking garage in the building and were looking for something,” Whitelaw said.
The couple has two small children who are now in the care of family friends.
Patricia Auxier said her friend lives on the same floor as the couple.
“She heard a loud knocking and so she looked out and they told her to get back inside and then she came out later and they told her that they had arrested two people and that everything was safe,” Auxier said.
The building is tucked in a neighborhood filled with single family homes, and quiet side streets with Neighborhood Watch, ironically reminding people there are watchful eyes all around.
Some neighbors have a view of the Pentagon from their apartment windows. Many of those in the neighborhood work, or used to work, for the US government.
“I worked for Central Intelligence and retired and was a Cold War worker,” said Frank Halligan.
“I noticed that the type of information that they were getting was kind of general, how the US works, economy, politics, rather than what’s the latest weapon or nuclear attack or where are your submarine forces deployed,” Halligan said.
John Henley was in the army for 20 years and worked for the Pentagon. Now he lives down the street and barely flinched when he heard the news.
“It’s been going on the whole time – whether China or Russia, North Korea, the while area – it don’t surprise me one bit,” Henley said.
30.06.2010, 03:03
Peruvian journalist an alleged Russian spyVicky Pelaez lived in New York and was a columnist for the Spanish language El Diario La Prensa. She is now accused of being an undercover Russian spy. |
30.06.2010, 17:51
12 comments
Spy story pure propaganda – ex-MI5 officer“There is a whole range of layers” behind the recent arrests of alleged spies in the US, believes former MI5 officer, Annie Machon, “with political being only one of them.” |
1. @JG...Oh yeah...stating this is an FBI operation makes it more legit...The FBI is notorious for its high profile 'pet' projects....Hoover started the FBI as vehicle for his personal vendettas during a time increasingly similar to our own, the great depression...The FBI started as a substitute for the Pinkertons & transformed into an organization to stamp out Communism in the US....The FBI re-invents itself every 30 years or so...Maybe we're seeing another one. 2. Just like the mouthpiece of America, all the major TV networks mention 'taped' evidence but the charges are obscure...Were these people trafficking in hi-tech or weapons or drugs or human slavery? There are plenty of Russian mafia types responsible for these crimes but I don't see the FBI near that...Not enough publicity. . 3. ..So...Obama was informed as he took his 1st bite out of his egg McMuffin...That's awkward...Or perhaps he knew about this as he was setting up Medvedev..That's sneaky & in bad faith....Hopefully, (& what I think), it's the former
Two or three quick points: 1. In one week President Obama treated President Medvedev to a burger in Arlington, Va and two "un-registered" from Russia were arrested here. Arlington has alot of distinctions, including food and entertainment city, military centre and (now) spy city. Still, I believe that Arlington is a great place to live, with a top-10 income status. 2. I believe that this whole "spy" incident was timed to make President Obama look bad. While I don't always agree with him, he is President of the United States. 3. Last, I believe Russia has come a long way, politically and financially. I don't believe it is the old Soviet Union. So let's treat the Russians with respect.