‘Freeman’ Faces Trial, Seeks Plea Bargain

Newbury Park resident Timothy Paul Kootenay, the self-proclaimed “freeman” accused of using bogus money orders to buy assault rifles, is scheduled to stand trial Sept. 9, a Superior Court judge confirmed Thursday.

But his attorney is still hopeful that a resolution can be reached before the case comes to trial.

“There is a good chance that the case can be resolved,” Deputy Public Defender Neil Quinn said Thursday, explaining that Kootenay has made restitution for his crimes.

The 36-year-old tree-trimmer has admitted to buying six semiautomatic assault rifles with two bogus money orders totaling more than $5,200, his attorney said.

In the last two months, however, Kootenay has paid back the money with interest, Quinn said.

Quinn said he is now trying to negotiate an arrangement with the district attorney’s office that could involve Kootenay changing his not-guilty plea to guilty on some of the charges.

But Deputy Dist. Atty. Mark Aevis said that some of the charges against Kootenay are not negotiable.

Kootenay was indicted by the Ventura County Grand Jury earlier this year on eight charges of fraud and related crimes for allegedly using counterfeit money orders manufactured by a militant anti-government group.

Kootenay ignored a grand jury subpoena to testify and fled Ventura County. In April, he was caught in Montana and extradited to Ventura.

Kootenay was released on $25,000 bail in June.