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      SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Federal prosecutors on Monday dropped
all remaining charges against 12 defendants accused of plotting to
overthrow the communist government of Laos.


      The U.S. attorney's office in Sacramento filed a motion to drop
the charges "in the interests of justice," according to court
documents obtained by The Associated Press.


      U.S. District Judge Frank Damrell Jr. granted the motion.


      "Based on the totality of the circumstances in the case, the
government believes, as a discretionary matter, that continued
prosecution of defendants is no longer warranted," said the
motion, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Sacramento.


      The move follows the death of Hmong leader and Vietnam War-era
Gen. Vang Pao, 81, last week. Vang Pao was dropped from the case in
2009. The general led Hmong guerrillas in their CIA-backed battle
against communists during the Vietnam War and was revered as a
father figure by the Hmong.


      A federal judge in November dismissed key parts of the case
against the 11 members of the Hmong community and a retired U.S.
Army lieutenant colonel. That included the government's charge that
the men violated the federal Neutrality Act. The act prohibits
people in the United States from taking part in a military action
against the government of another nation with which the U.S. is at
peace.


      The men were arrested in 2007 and accused of plotting to send
fighters and weapons, including machine guns and explosives, to
Southeast Asia to attack Laos. All had pleaded not guilty.


      The 11 are members of California's Hmong community, many of whom
fought alongside U.S. troops during the Vietnam War.


      The Census Bureau estimated the U.S. Hmong population at close
to 240,000, as of 2009. Tens of thousands of Hmong settled in
California's Central Valley and the Upper Midwest after leaving
Southeast Asia following the war.


      Thousands showed up at the Sacramento federal courthouse to
peacefully demonstrate every time there was a court hearing in the
case, wearing white and waving signs and American flags.


      "It's over," said Daniel J. Broderick, a federal defender who
represented former Army Lt. Col. Harrison Jack of Woodland, a
Vietnam veteran who had been accused of helping organize the plot.
"I can only say, thank heavens. He's extremely grateful they took
a long hard look at the case, and we agree this is the absolutely
appropriate response."


      In November, Damrell ruled prosecutors had failed to clearly
show that such a military expedition existed.


      He also said the government failed to specify what role each
defendant allegedly played, or when the purported military effort
began.


      He and defense attorneys also questioned who the government
alleged was the leader, once they dropped charges against Vang Pao
and last year moved to dismiss the case against another key player
in the original indictment.


      The government could have pursued remaining charges, including
conspiracy to violate the Neutrality Act, or could have filed an
amended compliant. But prosecutors faced another key hearing in
February, when defense attorneys planned to argue that the case was
built on lies and omissions by an undercover agent of the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.


      U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner said prosecutors reassessed the
case after Damrell's November ruling.


      "After considering all aspects of the case, we decided that
under the totality of circumstances, it is not in the government's
interest to continue this prosecution," he said in a statement.


      He dismissed defense attorneys' contention of misconduct, saying
the decision did not hinge on those allegations. He praised the
investigating agents and attorneys.


      "The allegations in this case concerning a conspiracy to
acquire arms to support offensive action against the government of
Laos were serious. Preventing violent crimes against a foreign
country and its population is our obligation under federal law,"
Wagner said.


      "It's never too late to do the right thing," said defense
attorney Bill Portanova.


      Defense attorney Mark Reichel also praised prosecutors.


      "Hopefully, the word 'terrorism' now won't be thrown around
like nickels, it will be reserved for real threats to American
security," Reichel said. "It is a great tribute prior to the
funeral of Vang Pao. It will allow the celebration of his life to
be complete and unblemished at his funeral."


      Relatives said they are planning a four-day February memorial
service for Vang Pao, who died Thursday after battling pneumonia in
a Clovis hospital, located near one of the largest populations of
Hmong immigrants in the United States. He was 81.


      The general's family is seeking a burial at Arlington National
Cemetery in Virginia.
      

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Federal prosecutors on Monday dropped
all remaining charges against 12 defendants accused of plotting to
overthrow the communist government of Laos.

Feds to drop Laos gov't overthrow charges

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