Rieder appears in Federal court / Your Severe Weather Station, South Bend, Indiana News, Weather, Sports, Notre Dame News, StormTeam 16

According to the affidavit, which was unsealed today...The ATF received an anonymous tip back in April that Kevin Rieder was stockpiling items that could be used to make a bomb.

Bags of ammunition, batteries, and large drums of gasoline were among the things agents found at the 28th street home.

In April, Rieder underwent a psychological evaluation, and physicians determined he was delusional, but he was released after three days.

According to the affidavit, one of Rieder's ex-girlfriends sought a protection order against him because of his instability.

The only charge brought against Rieder in district court today was receiving ammunition while being the subject of a restraining order.

Friends defended Rieder after his initial appearance.
“He had no guns to use it he just had ammo. He had a bb gun. That’s all he had was a bb gun,” James Japa says.

"Whatever reason they were called out for it just wasn't there and the citizens of the neighborhood were never in any danger and they're not in any danger now,” Dave Thomas says.

Rieder is scheduled to appear in federal court again, next Tuesday, for a detention hearing, and preliminary hearing.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: concerned Location: s b on Mar 11, 2008 at 02:38 PM
whoever wrote the last comment is trying to blow sunshine up someone's @$$. Kevin Rieder sold marijuana and cocaine for many years. He would stay home and smoke crack while we went out to move furniture and make money for Miciana Movers. He sold coke while living at his apartment on Edison Rd and his Walnut St address. He is a threat to anyone he is around. Dave Thomas and Jimmy Japa are trying to portray him as a hard working, God fearing person. He started delivering newspapers for money. He used to smoke crack while doing that. He saved some money and bought a moving truck. That allowed him to make more money and smoke more crack. Kevin never went to church, prayed or read the Bible. As a boss, he was terrible. He was not anyone's friend. He has no concept of friendship or love for anyone else but himself. I do know him and I will not judge him, but the public should know the truth. He was a drug addict. I used with him. He was a drug dealer, I bought from him. May he find mercy.

Posted by: Married Location: MISHAWAKA on Sep 7, 2007 at 12:20 AM
To all of you people that did not know Kevin..you need to hope if something were to happen in this world that you had a boss or friend like him. Now because of all this drama my husband is out of work. Kevin made all his money legitimately.(he was never a drug dealer)He never was a threat to anyone in his neighborhood either. Just made a really big mistake with a woman he dated but who hasn't. There is no reason for him to be in jail he has done nothing wrong !!!!!!!Unless you personally know him you should not judge him.....I hope the ATF sees what a mistake they have made.

Posted by: A Location: SB on Sep 2, 2007 at 01:45 AM
He wasnt deemed Delusional by a judge But a "physician". I dont know about your doctor, but mine has been wrong more than once. no judge ever deemed him dangerous. he hasnt been to trial yet at this point he has only been accused by the athorities not convicted.

Posted by: jason Location: SB on Sep 2, 2007 at 01:34 AM
Kimberly; police do arrest people for their own reasons some police even make it personal and more often than you would think charges appear on warrants and are dismissed as soon as the prosecutor or presiding judge looks at them. you cant believe everything the police say they are human and they lie. Dont take everything for face value..... I have raced motorcycles for years and almost always have 75 to 100 gallons of high octane race fuel in my garage its cheaper if you buy it by the 55gal barrel.

Posted by: dave Location: northern In on Sep 1, 2007 at 09:04 PM
when the info of Only ammo, no guns, (would be nice to know what calibers this guy was stocking up, )and in light of a ammo shortage going on, and police depts not being able to get ammo, a good many people who have commented to me about this incident(I just found out about this today, ), figured the cops found a easy score,with free ammo for the dept, easy story , ie- delusional individual ect ect, sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, along with a good many people who may appear to be eccentric are sometimes much more stable, sane,and knowledgeable than those who are in the gov/corperate postions of power, my bets are later on all charges will be dropped against this guy but then what do I know,with 60 some yrs of watching the human race doing arrogant/greedy/mean things daily, nothing surprises me now days, good day

Posted by: Jason Location: South Bend on Sep 1, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Come on people, it is not only that he had ammo, or batteries, or car parts,it is not only that he had wood, or any of the other single items you seem to be fixated on. It is the combination of these items along with the fact that he was deemed dangerous by a judge and that he had threatened lives. Please stop being so single minded and talking about rights being infringed upon. Look at the whole picture and you will understand.

Posted by: Kimberly Location: 2 blocks away on Sep 1, 2007 at 01:31 PM
To "Friend" First of all I did read the arrest warrant. It was unsealed and is 16 pages long and posted on another news website. It details everything he had and all the police contact. If what he was doing was legal, he would not have been arrested and still held at all. It is PUBLIC and covered under the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. Look it up. I DO know how much he had as I stood and watched and looked inside those trailers and watched them drain them. Also, if you are such a "friend" then why are you ashamed to release your name? Are you involved and afraid of getting raided yourself? Being prepared is fine, however when it endangers everyone around him, intentionally or not, it violates others right for safe living. Suv's are NO comparison to trailer a MOVING VAN that size full of FLAMMABLE and EXPLOSIVE materials. Maybe you should do your homework.Charges are charges no matter what they are or how they change them.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 31, 2007 at 09:27 PM
Article II A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 31, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Mike...how many people stock up on wood for their fireplaces before the snow starts falling?? Should they all be arrested? Who said how much fuel he had or how it was stored?? What good is ammunition with NO GUN???

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 31, 2007 at 09:01 PM
How much ammunition is too much?? I guess all the hunters in this country better know exactly how many rounds you are going to need on your next hunting trip before someone calls the ATF claiming that you bought too much!!

Posted by: anon Location: sb on Aug 31, 2007 at 08:59 PM
C...What is illegal about having ammunition, coffee, rice or sandbags?? Last I checked pretty much anyone can buy ammo. Gas?? Do they need to start running criminal checks at the pump? Let's be real here. He owns his own business, that would be where his income is, maybe you didn't read that part.

Posted by: Friend Location: South Bend on Aug 31, 2007 at 08:56 PM
Kimberly, grow up! What about those SUV's parked up and down the street? They are just as dangerous. You have NO CLUE how much of anything or what he even had, yet you sit and whine about what you think is right? How dare you make the ridiculous comments you have when you don't even know him. Shame on YOU for not knowing a situation, yet thinking you are better than anyone. Did you read the arrest warrant? If so, shame on the person that illegally released that information to you. He was arrested for a misdemeanor, let's not forget that! One that had to be made up in order to keep him in jail. The charges have already been changed several times just to find any reason to hold him. ONCE AGAIN...HE DID NOT BREAK ANY LAWS BY BEING PREPARED!!!!

Posted by: Mary Location: Mishawaka on Aug 31, 2007 at 06:53 PM
It appears people will argue both sides of this passionately. While stockpiling is not illegal, or even all that odd and may very well be the right thing, some of Mr Reider's comments and actions would suggest that he is a potential danger to those around him and in the area of his stockpile. While stockpiling is not a crime, insinuating the intent to do harm to others with that stockpile is and it sounds like Mr Reider was heading in the harmful direction. I once witnessed a fireman get shot while trying to fight an accidetal house fire because there was ammunition stored in the house and it fired from the heat of the house fire. There are many many dangerous possibilities associated with Mr Reider's stockpile whether he intended to do harm with it or not. As a neighbor, I would be scared and concerned for my safety just from the potential for disaster. The ATF felt they had cause to do what they did, not it will play out in court.

Posted by: Kimberly Location: 2 blocks away on Aug 31, 2007 at 04:02 PM
I am glad he FINALLY was caught, however, what kind of IDIOT decided to serve this warrant right when school was getting out and all of the kids in the neighborhood would be on these very streets within walking distance of his house?! Knowing how unstable this guy was, it would have only taken ONE shot to take out God knows how many blocks with that much fuel. This should have been started shortly after school started and the school should have been notified of a probable situation and given the chance to lock down to ensure the safety of those LITTLE kids. Also, how dare the fire chief say that we were not in danger knowing at least hundreds of gallons of fuel were sitting there overnight. He must not have insurance, that is why Madison said he was not a threat. For those of you defending him, shame, he has had police contact since April he has threatened others he was dangerous read the arrest warrant. Thank you for getting this guy off the streets but shame on you for timing and lies

Posted by: Pete on Aug 31, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Anonymous...you can twist it to make it sound anyway you want, but can you tell me what laws he has broken?

Posted by: C Location: SBI on Aug 31, 2007 at 02:32 PM
First of all, stop cryin bout our tax dollars, thats a bunch of money we wont see any way. Now where did Rieder get his money from in the first place? This dude was claimed to be un-fit, crazy, ect..Whatever he aint even supposed to have any of that stuff stock piled like that. I mean, what he gone do if it was a dissater? He'd Probably just add to it. Yeah, this time i agree with the ATF. Good Job.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 31, 2007 at 12:59 PM
mike from elkhart- I think you misread. I'm not worried about a small drum. I'm worried about 2 trailers full of gasoline open stored, a back yard full of wood, 70000 rounds of ammunition, and a guy who isn't completely stable. there is a high chance if he flips out, that combination can hurt the neighborhood and innocent people. The Oil Yoder place is not revelant unless you are telling me a mentally unstable person is responsible for the safety of that company.

Posted by: Pete Location: South Bend on Aug 31, 2007 at 11:18 AM
A sad waste of taxpayers dollars. If the local police and government would cut wastefull spending like this the tax increases that we are currently fighting would be a thing of the past. Kevin has done nothing wrong. Minus the gasoline, I am far more prepared than Kevin in the event that an unfortunate event occurs. I feel I have an obligation to my family to do so. I think as free Americans we all should be prepared in our own way so that when, not if, something crazy happens we do not solely have to rely on the government to bring back stability. Don't be extreme, just be prepared.

Posted by: C Location: S bend on Aug 31, 2007 at 11:10 AM
If you think a drum of gasoline is dangerous, what do you think a gas tank on a car is? Moving vans and semi trucks also use gasoline and so do gas tanker trucks driving next to you on the highway. Kevin is not a threat to people unless they try to hurt him first. I believe people should be allowed their own opinion about the government and economy and to prepare as they feel necessary.

Posted by: Mike Location: New Carlisle on Aug 31, 2007 at 08:03 AM
That is an accurate statement; "Waste of tax dollars". I sure hope that federal authorities don't come and raid my house because I have a surplus of ammunition, car parts, and coffee. This is the most bogus bunch of garbage I've seen in awhile. It makes me sick to see this man made out as some terrorist. The police need to spend more time looking for people who do real damage and pose a real threat violence to citizens. People like um.....I don't know....All the drug dealers in South Bend.

Posted by: Brent Location: Mishawaka on Aug 31, 2007 at 02:17 AM
Jeesh, I know more people than i can count on my right hand in the michiana area that stockpile real weapons (own more than 3 weapons). I know REAL people that are radio talk show hosts that openly admit they stockpile for the so called (New world order)Stockpiling gas,food,buying up solar cells,telling other to buy solar cells,telling them the government is out of control yadda yadda. There is something else going on here --why are they guarding his house? Why did they nab him on something so petty? Why don't they go out and grab George Noory or Art Bell or even ALEX JONES?????.. NONO something else is going on here. Easy target i think........

Posted by: J Location: SB on Aug 31, 2007 at 01:28 AM
He was not released after 3 days. They kept him neraly TWO WEEKS and only released him on a judges order.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 30, 2007 at 10:55 PM
people who defend him are crazy. anyone in their right mind would not buy that much ammunition and gasoline. the guy isn't stable. the police and ATF did what they needed to. get that stuff out of our neighborhood. if he thinks it is the end of the world, whatever. Dont endanger innocent families and river park with his delusional thoughts. Tax dollars WELL SPENT. him, his home, and his vehicles whether intentional is a DANGEROUS combination.

Posted by: happy herment Location: in a foxhole on Aug 30, 2007 at 10:32 PM
whats wrong with stocking up on gas and ammunition,and food ? Guess ill go to the store everynite and the gasstation everynite id hate to go to the county Motel as i have tomuch on hand ! better yet if no ones in any danger then why is he seating in the county Motel ? Did anyone got to jail when there was a y2k scare and everyone even the goverment stocked up on gas and etc .

Posted by: Mike Location: Elkhart on Aug 30, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Neighbor is an idiot. Come to Elkhart. Within a couple hundred yards of Memorial High School is Yoder Oil Company. They have hugh above ground storage tanks with 100's of thousands of gallons of gasoline in them and you are worried about a small drum.

Posted by: anonymous(I KNOW HIM PERSONALLY) Location: st. joseph co. on Aug 30, 2007 at 09:02 PM
i know mr. reider personally my ex-fiance was friends with rieder, drug use has twisted his brain, my ex tells me that he is dillusional about war and preparing for it, he says that the end of times are coming and we all need to prepare and stockpile weapons, ammo, water, etc. i think that the neighborhood should keep an eye on his movements and whereabouts at all times- i have personally seen kevin flip his wig so to speak a few times when he was using crack cocaine, he flies off the handle easily, evr since i have known him he has had a multiple personality on a daily basis- i think due to mental disability and or pooped circuits from using meth and cocaine i have watch ed a man first hand go from perfectly normally to chasing hinself around a car until he fell and broke his own wrist because he was so whacked out he thought someone was chasing him -it was his own shadow cocaine and meth change a persons ability to cope with reality. and the drug -WARNING TO NEIGHBORS DEMAND SMTH.BDUN

Posted by: b on Aug 30, 2007 at 08:36 PM
Just exactly what is the sense of having all the ammo, without a gun?!?! Maybe they should check his friends...they may be the ones stockpiling those.

Posted by: friend Location: south bend on Aug 30, 2007 at 08:36 PM
It should also be known that Kevin has a restraining order against the ex too, and she is commonly known to appear in places he is at just to stir up trouble. Also I remember just a few years back when it was said we were coming into a gasoline shortage so prices were going to skyrocket and everybody freaked out and stockpiled gasoline then, should law enforcement have gone out to arrest all of those people too?? As far as the neighbors, look around! Within 1 block in any direction is a possible drug house. Are you worried about that?? Of course you aren't because it hasn't been in the news yet. A lit cigarette could put you in immediate danger, or a falling tree branch. Quit overreacting to the media hype.

Posted by: jason Location: S B on Aug 30, 2007 at 06:40 PM
Talk about grabbing at straws. Receiving ammunition while being the subject of a restraining order. I think you can stop wasting my tax dollars. Nevermind all the cocaine dealers in south bend lets pull out all the stops when it comes to a unintentional misdemeanor.

Posted by: Neighbor Location: River Park on Aug 30, 2007 at 06:23 PM
I can't believe that they are saying that neighbors weren't in any danger. Even 1 drum of gasoline would put immediate neighbors in danger.