Glad this was over before it began. The initial story made it sound that Winters could elude capture for some time, "Friends say the doomsday prepper, who preaches that the end of times is near, has food and supplies buried all over Florida, as shown in a YouTube video from his River Otters Preppers survivalist group,,, Those who know him say Winters may be able to lay low for some time with or without help.
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The two-day manhunt for a Florida man ended Wednesday morning at the FBI office in Tampa, when 55-year-old “doomsday prepper” Martin Winters surrendered to authorities. According to the Tampa Bay Times, a wet, footsore and weary Winters gave up his freedom for the promise of some dry shoes, Gatorade, a couple of cheeseburgers and some French fries.
Winters is the head of a group known as the River Otter Preppers, survivalists who believe in hoarding weapons and supplies ahead of an apocalyptic event foretold in the Christian Bible’s final book, the Book of Revelations. An undercover FBI agent infiltrated the group and spent months building a case against Winters, who the agent said was planning a bloody, heavily-armed “last stand” against law enforcement officials.
“We’re glad to report that Mr. Winters did the right thing,” FBI spokesman David Couvertier told reporters. “We were hoping for a peaceful resolution, and today we got that.”
A federal grand jury handed down an indictment two weeks ago naming Winters and five others on charges of designing and building destructive devices without a permit and other charges. Winters invoked his right to remain silent on Wednesday when he appeared before Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson.
Tampa’s WTSP reported on Tuesday that authorities were offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who could provide information leading to Winters’ capture. Federal agents said Winters was wanted on charges of bomb-making and stockpiling weapons.
Florida doomsday prepper plans bloody last stand until cops lure him in with burgers
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