SYNOPSIS: When Deputy Scott Elder of the Bell County Sheriff's Department stopped a man for reckless driving and having broken taillights, he thought it was a routine traffic stop. But when the driver took off, Elder found himself exchanging gunfire with the man. Police were baffled about the driver's behavior until they found his car. Police say they found several pipe bombs and 9,000 rounds of ammunition.

During the evening hours of October 14, 2001, Sheriff's Deputy Scott Elder spotted a camouflaged truck being recklessly driven down Route 25E in Bell County, Kentucky. He flicked on his pursuit lights and followed, noticing, too, that the truck's taillights were both broken. Deputy Elder pulled the truck over, then got out of his cruiser and approached the vehicle. As he did, he noticed "Kentucky Militia" written in black on the tailgate and driver's side door. At first, Deputy Elder saw no reason for concern - the driver seemed friendly enough and he agreed to take care of the problem right away. But then, according to Deputy Elder, the man became very agitated and started yelling. The deputy caught a glimpse of a pistol magazine in the window and told the man to step out of the truck. The man defied the officer and took off. As the deputy followed, the man did a U-turn and headed back toward the cruiser. It was a bizarre scene that quickly shifted from dangerous to deadly. The deputy asked for back up and just then, the man began shooting at the officer. With bullets flying and his life on the line, Deputy Elder turned the tables. Moments later, he was bearing down on the truck when the driver suddenly slammed on his brakes and jumped from the vehicle. According to police, a wild shooting spree ensued. The enraged gunman unloaded more than 30 rounds - then peeled off down the highway. Deputy Elder fired back - but the truck was a moving target and quickly disappeared into the night.

Deputy Elder was still in shock the next morning when at least part of the puzzle fell into place. Authorities discovered the gunman's vehicle abandoned in the back woods. They identified the owner as 55-year-old Stephen Howard Anderson. In the back of Anderson's truck, Sheriff's Deputies claim they found enough weapons and ammo to equip a small army. Further investigation revealed that Stephen Anderson apparently did have ties to the civilian para-military group known as the "Kentucky State Militia," an organization not sanctioned by any government body. The Militia's stated mission is "to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic," but, according to law enforcement officials, some members can be fanatical and dangerous. Even when compared to the group's extreme element, however, Stephen Anderson was considered a loose cannon. In fact, police believe a short time before the shootout with Deputy Elder, Anderson had been kicked out of the Militia.

Was Stephen Anderson poised to launch his own private war? Authorities obtained a search warrant for his property and uncovered another huge cache of weapons and explosives, including grenades, machine guns and approximately 12,000 rounds of ammunition. Agents also found a low-powered ham radio transmitter allegedly used by Anderson to broadcast hate-filled vendettas against the "establishment."

UPDATE: After eluding law enforcement for over a year, Stephen Anderson has been captured.  Agents received a tip that he was living in Cherokee County in North Carolina.  Anderson was arrested and pled guilty to various weapons charges.  The judge sentenced him to fifteen years in prison.