Feds arrest preppers ready to take on martial law

From left: Christopher James Barker, 41, Christopher Todd Campbell, 30, and Walter Eugene Litteral, 50.

Three North Carolina men who manufactured explosives and stockpiled military-style firearms and equipment in preparation for a perceived imposition of martial law by the U.S. government appeared in federal court Monday, officials announced.

Walter Eugene Litteral, 50, Christopher James Barker, 41, of Gastonia, and Christopher Todd Campbell, 30, of Mt. Holly, N.C., were arrested on Saturday for violating federal firearms and explosives laws, the Department of Justice said.

Authorities received information in June that Litteral and Barker were attempting to manufacture explosives. The next month, investigators learned Campbell was “reconstructing live grenades from ‘dummy grenades’ sold legally as military artifacts,” the DOJ said.

The men also allegedly attempted to manufacture pipe bombs, which they then would test in Shelby.

“It’s going to be great,” the DOJ alleges Litteral said.

Authorities claim the men planned on resisting military occupation with violent force and stockpiled ammunition for a .338-caliber rifle, handheld radios with throat microphones, Kevlar helmets, body armor vests and balaclava masks.

Because Barker’s prior criminal felony convictions prohibit him from purchasing or possessing guns or ammunition, authorities said Litteral filled out the required paperwork with his own information even though the firearm was for Barker.

Detention hearings have been set for Thursday, the DOJ said.