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‘Medicine Man' found with bunker, arsenal of guns was a ‘prepper,' attorney says

By Blake Hanson
By Blake Hanson

A self-proclaimed medicine man arrested on federal tax evasion and weapon charges kept a bunker because he was preparing as if there was an Armageddon, his defense attorney said Tuesday.

Reuben DeHaan appeared in federal court Tuesday for a detention hearing.

The proceeding determines whether or not a suspect is a flight risk and/or danger to the community, and should be allowed out on bond. Judge David Keesler ultimately ruled that DeHaan should stay behind bars.

Clients of DeHaan's describe him as a natural healer who ran his business out of his Kings Mountain home. However, federal agents said he didn't pay taxes for his business and took him into custody Thursday. Authorities said DeHaan didn't believe he needed to pay taxes because he is a minister.

Prosecutors filed additional charges Friday after a sweeping raid of his property.

Authorities discovered a bunker with a "significant amount of food and beverages" stored in various rooms, walls and ceilings, according to an affidavit.

It included two water tanks that each held about 2,000 gallons of water.

One room within the bunkers contained approximately 70 weapons to include rifles, shotguns and handguns, according to an federal investigators.

Foreign connections
 
Prosecutors revealed new evidence of DeHaan's ties to foreign countries to try and prove he is a flight risk.
 
Investigators said they found a passport from the World Government of World Citizens which authorities seemed to know little about. Prosecutors said it is accepted by a small collection of companies.
 
Prosecutors also said DeHaan had a U.N. driver's license.
 
His defense attorney, C. Melissa Owen, said documentation was expired and the passport couldn't even get him to Cleveland.
 
However, federal investigators announced that they have subpoenaed a collection of shell companies tied to DeHaan. Prosecutors said they are looking into those corporations, along with foreign bank accounts and property.
 
Investigators said Thursday's search also turned up a "Special Agent badge" as well as other identification items like a press pass.
 
Extensive bunker
 
In addition to the firearms, prosecutors said the bunker held Meals-Ready-to-Eat, 5,000 gallons of water storage and had fortified walls.
 
Owen said her client's bunker even had an air filtration system that could be used in case of a nuclear attack.
 
She argued that while many of the facts around the situation are unusual, they do not mean it was illegal.
 
She said DeHaan was a gun collector and that friends could testify that he was a responsible gun owner.

Family support
 
Family, friends and clients filled the magistrate court room Tuesday to show their support. Some, in the small courtroom's limited seating, stood in the hallway and listened in.
 
Owen said DeHaan is married and has children.
 
DeHaan's wife, who was at the hearing, wiped away tears after the judge ruled that he must remain behind bars awaiting trial.
 
Clients have told Channel 9 that DeHaan solved health issues that other doctors have not be able to help them with.
 
Family and friends declined commenting on the case Tuesday.

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