Man accused of spiking trees for radical environmental group
                                                                         
   BLOOMINGTON, Indiana (AP) -- An alleged member of a radical
   environmental group that has been connected to a series of arsons and
   other crimes has been arrested on charges of putting spikes in trees
   to destroy logging equipment. Frank B. Ambrose, 26, is accused of
   driving 10-inch spikes into trees last June in a section of the
   Morgan-Monroe State Forest slated for logging.
   
   Authorities believe Ambrose is affiliated with the Earth Liberation
   Front, a loosely knit group that claimed responsibility for spiking
   the trees.
   
   An ELF spokesman said that Ambrose is not a member.
   
   The ELF has claimed responsibility for at least 22 major crimes,
   including arson attacks and other acts of sabotage across the country.
   The FBI has attributed $37 million in damage since 1996 to the group.
   
   In a statement Thursday, Ambrose denied spiking the trees. After his
   arrest, he refused to answer questions, including whether he is
   affiliated with the ELF.
   
   Ambrose told The Herald-Times of Bloomington that he was targeted by
   authorities for publicly refusing to condemn the destroying of
   property to prevent harm to the environment.
   
   "Is it illegal to say that? It may not be popular with some people,
   but it doesn't mean I was involved in it," he said.
   
   A six-month investigation by state conservation officers and the FBI
   traced the spikes to Ambrose through store surveillance tapes,
   authorities said. According to court papers, Ambrose's car was spotted
   outside the forest at the time of the incident, and police found
   hammering and metal-cutting tools and cotton gloves with a residue
   similar to that from the spikes in Ambrose's apartment.
   
   Ambrose is the Midwest coordinator for the American Lands Alliance, a
   mainstream environmental group headed by former Indiana Rep. Jim
   Jontz.
   
   "American Lands doesn't support tree spiking," Jontz said from his
   Portland, Ore., office. "Of course, I hope that these allegations
   aren't true."
   
   Ambrose was released on $2,000 bail. Tree spiking in Indiana is
   punishable by up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Leslie
   Pickering, an ELF spokesman, said Ambrose isn't a member. "It seems as
   though the authorities are having trouble coming up with suspects in
   relation to these crimes," Pickering said.
   
   "They seem to be taking to harassing public environmental activists
   like Frank and others in Portland and in New York City as well."