By REBECCA LeFEVER
York, PA - A Wrightsville man was sentenced Thursday to six months in prison and four months home confinement after he was convicted of illegal possession of a ballistic vest.According to The (Carlisle) Sentinel, a federal jury found in March 2007 that Michael Wayne Cook, 44, had purchased the vest at a gun show in Harrisburg.
Because of his prior convictions of terroristic threats and destroying property, Cook is prohibited from owning body armor, U.S. Attorney Peter Smith told The Sentinel.
"I had no idea it was illegal to have it (the vest)," Cook said Thursday during a phone interview.
Cook believes the ruling violates his "constitutional rights as outlined in the commerce clause." He said he's received death threats before, and the vest was for his own protection.
His attorney, Thomas Thornton, could not be reached for comment.
Cook said he worries his girlfriend and son will be left without a "bread-winner" while he serves six months in prison.
But Cook also believes being in prison will "strengthen" his efforts.
Earlier this year, Springettsbury Township Police said they filed a report with the Anti-Defamation League after Cook and other members of the National Socialist American Labor Party distributed fliers that sparked one complaint in the township.
The group builds its ideology off the examples of Nazi Germany, Cook said.
"Persecution is good for us sometimes," he said.
Cook will begin his prison sentence Nov. 28, according to court documents.
In 2002, Cook played a role in bringing a white supremacist leader to an appearance at Martin Library in York. Some white supremacists and anti-racist demonstrators fought in the streets after the event.
rlefever@ydr.com; 771-2088
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