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courtesy of ‘bhrome’

The FBI and the Justice Department brought down 10 suspected spies this afternoon across the country, including three from right here in Arlington. Several sources are reporting the details, including this article from CNN, and talk to the fact that these Russian secret agents were reportedly sent to the US for long-term operations and were to fully adapt to our way of life (marriage, kids, house, mini-vans…and the true American dream of  balloon mortgage payments says Wonkette). The article also includes details of some of the intercepted and decrypted messages that Russia reportedly sent to these agents.

“Your education, bank accounts, car, house, etc. — all these serve one goal: fulfill your main mission, i.e., to search and develop ties in policymaking circles in U.S. and send intels (intelligence reports),” the document said.“

All 10 suspects are being charged with conspiracy to act as an agent for a foreign government. This crime surprisingly carries a maximum sentence of 5 years. 9 of those arrested also face charges on a conspiracy to commit money laundering which carries up to 20 years. Arlington blog ARLnow.com points out the three individuals living in Arlington who have been picked up: Michael Zottoli, Patricia Mills and Mikhail Semenko. If these are your friends, expect a phone call or “drop by” sooner or later from a few black, heavily tinted Suburbans.

Careful Arlington, there are spies amongst us. Russian spies. These alleged spies head to federal court in Alexandria as early as Monday. And the timing is…interesting. As you might recall, Obama had ‘Hell burgers just last week with Russian President Medvedev. And they shared fries. (Due to the seriousness of these events, I will not be posting the line of thought in my head that would be the conversation between Obama and Medvedev where he offered to trade a fry for the identity of each spy, which ended in the negotiation of at least 10 perfectly cut and salted crispy potato slices).

Karl Johnson

Karl is a Washingtonian who lives and breathes everything that is DC. Politics, ethnic restaurants, sad sports teams, the Metro and pretty much anything in between. Karl’s life is kind of like going to a Nats’ game while eating Ethiopian food and discussing the latest legislation to pass the House. Then cramming on the Metro for a ride home. That ’bout sums it up. See why Karl loves DC or check him out on Twitter.