Man Burns Down Trailer in Online Feud - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 07-27-2007, 12:11 PM

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/man-bur...00010000000001

Man Burns Down Trailer in Online Feud

ELM MOTT, Texas (July 26) - A Navy man who got mad when someone mocked him as a "nerd" over the Internet climbed into his car and drove 1,300 miles from Virginia to Texas to teach the other guy a lesson.

Russell Tavares was sentenced this week to seven years in prison for setting fire to a man's mobile home in Elm Mott, Texas, after an Internet squabble in 2005.

As he made his way toward Texas, Fire Controlman 2nd Class Petty Officer Russell Tavares posted photos online showing the welcome signs at several states' borders, as if to prove to his Internet friends that he meant business.

When he finally arrived, Tavares burned the guy's trailer down.

This week, Tavares, 27, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading no contest to arson and admitting he set the blaze.

"I didn't think anybody was stupid enough to try to kill anybody over an Internet fight," said John G. Anderson, 59, who suffered smoke inhalation while trying to put out the 2005 blaze that caused $50,000 in damage to his trailer and computer equipment.

The feud started when Anderson, who runs a haunted house near Waco, joined a picture-sharing Web site and posted his artwork and political views. After he blocked some people from his page because of insults and foul language, they retaliated by making obscene digitally altered pictures of him, he said.

Anderson, who went by the screen name "Johnny Darkness," traded barbs with Tavares, aka "PyroDice."

Investigators say Tavares boiled over when Anderson called him a nerd and posted a digitally altered photo making Tavares look like a skinny boy in high-water pants, holding a gun and a laptop under a "Revenge of the Nerds" sign.

Tavares obtained Anderson's real name and hometown from Anderson's Web page about his Museum of Horrors Haunted House.

Tavares took leave from his post as a weapons systems operator at the AEGIS Training and Readiness Center in Dahlgren, Va., and started driving. Investigators say he told them he planned to point a shotgun at Anderson and shoot his computer.

Instead, when he got to Elm Mott - after posting one last photo of a "Welcome to Texas" sign - Tavares threw a piece of gasoline-soaked plastic foam into the back of Anderson's mobile home and lit a flare, authorities say.

Tavares' attorney, Susan Kelly Johnston, said his trip to the Waco area was a last-minute decision during a cross-country trip to visit his parents in Arizona. She said he never intended to hurt Anderson and did not think he was in the trailer when he set the fire.

James Pack, an investigator with the McLennan County Sheriff's Office, caught up with Tavares after talking to people in several states and Spain who had been involved in the online feud. Tavares' cell phone records showed he was in the Waco area at the time of the fire, Pack said.

Tavares told investigators that Anderson had spread computer viruses and insulted his online friends for too long, Pack said.

"He lost everything - all over an Internet squabble," the investigator said.

Tavares was discharged last year from the Navy, where he earned several medals - including the pistol expert and rifle expert medals - in his nine-year career, said Navy spokesman Mike McLellan.

Tavares would not let the feud go even at his sentencing. According to Pack, Tavares took cell-phone photos of Anderson in the courtroom while the judge was hearing another case. Authorities ordered the photos erased.

Anderson, an ex-Marine who served in Vietnam, said he continues to be harassed online, has been startled by people knocking on his window late at night and found bullet holes in a door to his business.

He said he is convinced the harassment is related to the Internet feud and plans to spend $30,000 on more fencing topped with barbed wire.

"Before this happened, the rule was: Nobody messes with the haunted house guy," Anderson said.

catlover79 · 07-27-2007, 12:43 PM

I'm sorry, but an adult who takes being called a nerd that seriously...

coffield3 · 07-27-2007, 12:51 PM

Courtnee · 07-27-2007, 02:55 PM

That guy is ******** and a nerd.

AB · 07-27-2007, 06:06 PM

There are some very disturbed people out there and you never know what will set them off.

freshprinceofLA · 07-27-2007, 09:05 PM

That guy is crazy man some people are just so insecure!

Ireneparalegal · 07-27-2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annball1957

There are some very disturbed people out there and you never know what will set them off.

I wonder what would have happened if he had been called an a-hole?

ABlairican Pie · 07-27-2007, 10:43 PM

Just remember, folks, play nicely here at SO, so you won't have someone cross the country to fry YOUR house down.

This guy is going to have to spend the next seven years with the reputation of being a nerd because of this outburst. Shower time is going to be preeeeetty interesting in the pen.

Mikado · 07-27-2007, 10:53 PM

And i thought trailer parks only attracted Tornadoes!

catlover79 · 07-27-2007, 11:49 PM

Gee, where's Flo Castleberry when you really need her!?

Ireneparalegal · 07-27-2007, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Gee, where's Flo Castleberry when you really need her!?

She is apparently making chili that causes BOTULISM!!

Mr. Stefani · 07-27-2007, 11:57 PM

I cant even tell you how many times i've been threatened by crystal

Mikado · 07-27-2007, 11:59 PM

That must be something they only sell in the USA....I was sitting here thinking "Who the heck is Flo Castleberry???" And now that I know, what does a chili cook have to DO with this???

catlover79 · 07-28-2007, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

She is apparently making chili that has causes BOTULISM!!

I thought that was MEL!

Mikey, Flo was a character on the TV show Alice, set at a diner renowned for its awful chili.

James"Thunder"Early · 07-28-2007, 12:09 AM

What a loon

07-27-2007, 12:11 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Man Burns Down Trailer in Online Feud http://news.aol.com/story/_a/man-bur...00010000000001 Man Burns Down Trailer in Online Feud ELM MOTT, Texas (July 26) - A Navy man who got mad when someone mocked him as a "nerd" over the Internet climbed into his car and drove 1,300 miles from Virginia to Texas to teach the other guy a lesson. Russell Tavares was sentenced this week to seven years in prison for setting fire to a man's mobile home in Elm Mott, Texas, after an Internet squabble in 2005. As he made his way toward Texas, Fire Controlman 2nd Class Petty Officer Russell Tavares posted photos online showing the welcome signs at several states' borders, as if to prove to his Internet friends that he meant business. When he finally arrived, Tavares burned the guy's trailer down. This week, Tavares, 27, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading no contest to arson and admitting he set the blaze. "I didn't think anybody was stupid enough to try to kill anybody over an Internet fight," said John G. Anderson, 59, who suffered smoke inhalation while trying to put out the 2005 blaze that caused $50,000 in damage to his trailer and computer equipment. The feud started when Anderson, who runs a haunted house near Waco, joined a picture-sharing Web site and posted his artwork and political views. After he blocked some people from his page because of insults and foul language, they retaliated by making obscene digitally altered pictures of him, he said. Anderson, who went by the screen name "Johnny Darkness," traded barbs with Tavares, aka "PyroDice." Investigators say Tavares boiled over when Anderson called him a nerd and posted a digitally altered photo making Tavares look like a skinny boy in high-water pants, holding a gun and a laptop under a "Revenge of the Nerds" sign. Tavares obtained Anderson's real name and hometown from Anderson's Web page about his Museum of Horrors Haunted House. Tavares took leave from his post as a weapons systems operator at the AEGIS Training and Readiness Center in Dahlgren, Va., and started driving. Investigators say he told them he planned to point a shotgun at Anderson and shoot his computer. Instead, when he got to Elm Mott - after posting one last photo of a "Welcome to Texas" sign - Tavares threw a piece of gasoline-soaked plastic foam into the back of Anderson's mobile home and lit a flare, authorities say. Tavares' attorney, Susan Kelly Johnston, said his trip to the Waco area was a last-minute decision during a cross-country trip to visit his parents in Arizona. She said he never intended to hurt Anderson and did not think he was in the trailer when he set the fire. James Pack, an investigator with the McLennan County Sheriff's Office, caught up with Tavares after talking to people in several states and Spain who had been involved in the online feud. Tavares' cell phone records showed he was in the Waco area at the time of the fire, Pack said. Tavares told investigators that Anderson had spread computer viruses and insulted his online friends for too long, Pack said. "He lost everything - all over an Internet squabble," the investigator said. Tavares was discharged last year from the Navy, where he earned several medals - including the pistol expert and rifle expert medals - in his nine-year career, said Navy spokesman Mike McLellan. Tavares would not let the feud go even at his sentencing. According to Pack, Tavares took cell-phone photos of Anderson in the courtroom while the judge was hearing another case. Authorities ordered the photos erased. Anderson, an ex-Marine who served in Vietnam, said he continues to be harassed online, has been startled by people knocking on his window late at night and found bullet holes in a door to his business. He said he is convinced the harassment is related to the Internet feud and plans to spend $30,000 on more fencing topped with barbed wire. "Before this happened, the rule was: Nobody messes with the haunted house guy," Anderson said.

07-27-2007, 12:43 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I'm sorry, but an adult who takes being called a nerd that seriously...
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-27-2007, 12:51 PM	#3
coffield3 <3 Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 23, 2006 Location: England Posts: 7,379
	__________________ Roseanne Fan!! ღღღ

07-27-2007, 02:55 PM	#4
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	That guy is ******** and a nerd.
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

07-27-2007, 09:05 PM	#6
freshprinceofLA The Bosses Senior Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2005 Location: A small town in: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,810	That guy is crazy man some people are just so insecure!
	__________________ My favorite show is... Who's the boss? #2 Three's Company #3 Moonlighting RELEASE ALL SEASONS OF WHO'S THE BOSS? ON DVD Watch ION at 9:00 to 10:00 I <3 SAMANTHA! RAIDERS SUCK R.I.P. PAC & BIG we miss yall

07-27-2007, 06:06 PM	#5
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	There are some very disturbed people out there and you never know what will set them off.

07-27-2007, 10:43 PM	#8
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	Just remember, folks, play nicely here at SO, so you won't have someone cross the country to fry YOUR house down. This guy is going to have to spend the next seven years with the reputation of being a nerd because of this outburst. Shower time is going to be preeeeetty interesting in the pen.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

07-27-2007, 10:53 PM	#9
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	And i thought trailer parks only attracted Tornadoes!

07-27-2007, 11:49 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Gee, where's Flo Castleberry when you really need her!?

07-27-2007, 11:57 PM	#12
Mr. Stefani Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Posts: 20,757	I cant even tell you how many times i've been threatened by crystal

07-27-2007, 11:59 PM	#13
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	That must be something they only sell in the USA....I was sitting here thinking "Who the heck is Flo Castleberry???" And now that I know, what does a chili cook have to DO with this???

07-28-2007, 12:09 AM	#15
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	What a loon
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.