FBI HELPING COPS INVOLVED IN STANDOFF

VANDALIA, Mich. (AP) - A standoff with the owner of a campground
known for its advocacy of marijuana dragged into a fourth day, with
police enlisting the help of a third-party negotiator and the FBI
stepping in to relieve officers. The campground's supporters gathered
near the site Sunday as police worked to end a standoff that has
involved shots being fired at a news helicopter and police plane.

``The word is out about what's going on,'' said Shirley DeWeese,
whose brother, Grover T. Crosslin, owns the southwest Michigan
campground called Rainbow Farm. ``If they do kill him, it's not going
to be the end.'' Neighbors said Crosslin 47, who faces drug and
weapons charges, was burning buildings on Friday on his property,
which is the target of civil forfeiture proceedings. Deputies went to
the farm after hearing about the fires. Police did not know who fired
the shots that whizzed by an unmarked state police plane Saturday and
struck the tail of an Indiana television station news helicopter
Friday. Both landed safely.

The FBI said Sunday night that federal agents would relieve officers
from the Michigan State Police and Cass County Sheriff's Office who
have been at the site. Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. said
Crosslin has made no demands. ``It is the goal of all three agencies
to resolve this matter peacefully,'' said John Bell Jr., special
agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit office. Officers did not
identify the third party assisting in the negotiations. Sheriff's Lt.
Lyndon Parrish believed Crosslin was upset over a $150,000 bond
revocation hearing he skipped Friday. The hearing was set because
authorities believed he was violating terms of his release on charges
of felony firearm possession and drug charges.

Dori Leo, who identified herself to the South Bend Tribune as
Crosslin's attorney, said her client was upset because a child he
helped raise was placed in foster care following the charges.

Crosslin and five others were arrested in May after a two-year
investigation into allegations of marijuana use at the campground,
just before it was to host a weekend event promoting marijuana
legalization. A statement on Rainbow Farm's Web site says it
``supports the medical, spiritual and responsible recreational uses
of marijuana for a more sane and compassionate America.'' About a
mile away from the campground, about a half-dozen people displayed
placards in support of Crosslin and Rainbow Farm.

``We were hoping for a peaceful resolution and they're bringing in
choppers and artillery,'' said DeWeese.