Timeline Review: The NATO 3
April 2014–Sentencing
The NATO 3 received sentences ranging from five to eight years. Chase got eight years, Church five and Betterly six. They also each received 30 days for mob action. Read more about the NATO 3 sentencingFebruary 2014–Verdict
The NATO 3 were acquitted of all terrorism charges but found guilty of mob action and possession of incendiary devices to commit arson. Read more about the NATO 3 verdictJanuary 2014–NATO 3 trial begins
“Are you ready to see a police officer on fire?”The first terrorism trial in Cook County began January 21, 2014. The court heard testimony from undercover informants “Moe” and “Nadia,” and listened to secret audio recordings of the so-called NATO 3 suspects allegedly talking about creating mayhem at the 2012 NATO summit. But the defense claimed the men were just “goofs,” who were often inebriated when planning NATO violence. Attorneys claimed “Moe” and “Nadia” encouraged the discussions in order to make a big bust that would justify NATO security costs. At least one defendant was trying to impress the female informant, the defense said. The prosecution maintained the young activists intended to carry out their plans, quoting one as saying, “Are you ready to see a police officer on fire?” while prepping Molotov cocktail bombs. More highlights from the trial: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Final Testimony | Day 12 Read more about the NATO 3 terrorism trial
January 2014–Four counts dropped
Prosecutors dismissed four weapons charges against the NATO 3 without citing specific reasons. Sources say the counts were dropped to simplify procedures for the jury, the Sun-Times reports. Read more at the Chicago Sun-TimesOctober 2013–Chase charged with aggravated battery in jail
A booking photo of Jared Chase (Source: Chicago Police Department)
Jared Chase, the oldest NATO 3 member, was charged with filling a shampoo bottle with urine and feces before squirting the mixture at a Cook County Jail guard.
Chase was held on $100,000 bail.
Read more about the charge at Chicago Sun-Times
March 2013–Judge rules on terrorism motion
A Cook County judge ruled against NATO 3 attorneys seeking to have terrorism charges dropped from the NATO 3 case. The judge ruled the charges were constitutional and valid. Read more at DNAinfoJanuary 2013–Attorneys challenge terrorism charge
Lawyers for the men accused of plotting to commit acts of terror at the 2012 NATO summit filed a motion to have the terrorism charges dropped. The lawyers claimed the definition of terrorism in Illinois law is too broad and unconstitutional. If dropped, the three men would still face seven more criminal counts. Read more at Fox NewsJuly 2012–NATO 3 plead not guilty
Betterly, Chase and Church pleaded not guilty to charges they plotted acts of terrorism for the 2012 NATO summit in Chicago, including attacking the mayor’s home and President Barack Obama’s Chicago campaign headquarters. Read more about the NATO 3 pleasJune 2012–The NATO 3 are indicted
A copy of the NATO 3 indictment (Source: National Lawyers Guild)
A grand jury indicted Betterly, Chase and Church on 11 counts.
Read more about the indictment
May 20-21 2012–NATO Summit occurs
May 20-21: Thousands of protesters, many of whom had rallied in the city days before, filled the streets of Chicago’s Loop, protesting the two-day NATO summit. Day one brought the heaviest clashes between police and protesters, followed by calmer rallies the following Monday. More than 40 people were arrested on the first day of the summit. At least four police officers suffered minor injuries. Read more at the New York TimesMay 20, 2012–More backstory and details revealed
“The city doesn’t know what it’s in for”More details were released about the Bridgeport raid and one-month undercover investigation, following the indictment of the so-called NATO 3.
- The men were accused of being “Black Bloc” anarchists, known for using aggressive tactics at protests.
- The three men were identified as the same activists pulled over in the police stop video posted online before the raid.
- The men had been under police surveillance for more than a week prior to the stop.
- Two undercover informants known as “Moe” and “Nadia” befriended a group of NATO activists, which included the suspects Betterly, Chase and Church.
- During the raid, police obtained four Molotov cocktail bombs and other lethal weapons, including swords, a hunting bow and brass knuckles.
- The informants recorded conversations of the men detailing their plans to attack police stations, President Obama’s campaign headquarters and the mayor’s home.
- One suspected is quoted as saying, “The city doesn’t know what it’s in for.”
- The men allegedly planned to load the cocktails in a car before police decided to conduct a raid. Police considered this final action as an “imminent threat.”
May 2012–The NATO 3 gain supporters
Some NATO summit rallies became NATO 3 protests. Activists organized marches via social media to call attention to the NATO 3 arrests. Websites and blogs covering the Occupy movement and NATO activists asked followers to support the three men then charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism. They said the activists were innocent, and that Chicago police resorted to entrapment techniques to arrest them. Read more at NBC ChicagoMay 19, 2012–Charges filed against the ‘NATO 3’
Left to right: Brent Betterly, Jared Chase and Brian Church (Source: Chicago Police Department)
Police charged three Bridgeport NATO activists with conspiracy to commit terrorism, after releasing six others. It marked the first time anyone in Illinois was prosecuted under Illinois anti-terrorism law.
Brent Vincent Betterly, 24; Jared Chase, 27; and Brian Church, 22, each from Florida, were accused of making Molotov cocktail bombs and planning to attack police stations, President Barack Obama’s campaign headquarters and Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s home.
The men became known as the “NATO 3”
Read more about the charges
May 18, 2012–Police release six suspects
Two days after the raid, police released a total of six of the nine detainees. Officials refused to comment on the case, but the released activists claimed they were swept up and improperly treated during the detainment. Read more about the NATO raid releasesMay 16, 2012–Late night raid and arrests in Bridgeport
Chicago police raided a Bridgeport apartment around midnight and detained nine people. The National Lawyers Guild publicized and condemned the raid the next day , calling it unlawful harassment of NATO activists. Read more about the NATO raidMay 9, 2012–Police stop video posted online
On May 9, 2012 Chicago police stopped a car in a Bridgeport drug store parking lot. Three men in the car would later be known as the NATO 3. The next day, the now defunct Youtube channel PowerNewsTV uploaded videos of the stop, claiming they were sent anonymously to the channel owner. The first video was a 3-minute, edited version of a full 27 minute video depicting mostly audio of the pullover. During the three men exchange banter with the officers, covering topics like Occupy Wall Street, the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the upcoming NATO Summit. At the end of the video the men tell the officers they plan to attend NATO protests, at which an officer responds, “We’ll come look for you, each and every one of you.” Some activists who saw the recording believed the statement was a threat and police harassment, which Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy denied. McCarthy also claimed the stop was unrelated to what was later revealed as a month-long undercover surveillance of the three men. Read more about the NATO police stop videoSeptember 2011–Occupy movement begins
An early logo for the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Millions of protesters gathered in cities across America to voice outrage over big government, corruption and socio-economic inequality. The movement was dubbed Occupy Wall Street, or simply the Occupy movement. The leaderless rallies drew diverse individuals and activist groups, who set up make-shift camps in financially and politically significant locations. The men later dubbed the NATO 3 allegedly participated in Occupy protests in several U.S. cities.
Read more about Occupy Wall Street