Some quick notes on today's arraignment:

Aaron Patterson and Mark Mannie's preliminary examination / detention hearing date was set for Wednesday August 11th at 2pm.

Charges against Aaron are:

1. Conspiring with Isaiah Kitchen to distribute heroin - possession with intent to distribute over 100 grams. Carries a max of 40 yrs and $2 mil fine, and a mandatory minimum of 5 yrs.

2 - 5. Knowingly and intentionally distributing marijuana on 4 dates in 2004: 3 Apr, 21 May, 23 Jun, 9 Jul.

6. (Aaron & Mark both) distributing marijuana on 5 August 2004.

7. Possession of firearms (serial #s 018408, 018409, 083349, B2604)

8. (Aaron and Mark both) Possessing a machine gun a Mack 10-A1 9mm, serial # 132604, on 5 Aug 2004.

Aaron stated that he has been working with some reporters and a film crew doing a documentary on the criminal injustice system for the past year, and that he and Mark allowed themselves to be guinea pigs to prove that the system is corrupt. Aaron claimed that he knew the person to whom he supposedly sold the drugs was an agent, and he "did this" to prove the court is a sham. He claims that videotaped evidence was removed from him home by the DEA, ATF, and Chicago Police Department.