BY RON BARBOUR
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
If the latter report is true, the wait may be very long indeed.
The immediate Idema family is dead, and there are no friends
Idema leaves in his wake only victims and enemies.
The most tragic of these victims and enemies, in this writer's humble opinion, is Idema's former wife, Penny Alesi. An average middle class woman whose only “crime” has to fall in love with a man she later discovered to be pure evil. When Ms. Alesi was “mugged by reality” in Bacalar, Mexico, and discovered horrible truth that her lover was a raving psychopath and secret homosexual, it was too late to save her life.
She had been knowingly HIV infected by Idema.
Penny Alesi's story of torture and horror at the hands of the traitor Idema is told HERE in graphic detail.
A lesser woman who had escaped certain death at the hands of a very evil and dangerous man would have given up the struggle upon safe arrival at home. But not Penny Alesi – she had just begun to fight – and did all in her power to secure the arrest of Idema by Mexican or American authorities. At the same time she spent endless hours in vain attempts to interest the Big Media in the USA in doing stories on the HIV danger posed to the international public by an evil man, the owner and operator of a Mexican resort.
There are many lessons that can be learned from the criminal career of self appointed “Super Patriot” Idema, but the most important one is the failure of the U.S. Government to have “terminated with extreme prejudice” Idema in early 2004, when it became apparent to nearly everyone that he had turned traitor in Afghanistan. Instead, the power barons of the Feds turned him over to arguably the most corrupt government in Asia.
The predictable result of this confinement in a luxury suite in Afghanistan's most infamous prison complete with computer and satellite phone that were used to advance a criminal career. It was here that Idema converted to Islam and supplied America's enemies with videos, pictures and documents that were used to kill American troops in Southwest Asia. This download also included Idema produced videos showing him torture Afghans in his private prison. These videos have gone viral on the Internet and are a great propaganda coup for America's Islamist enemies.
The final stop for Idema was Bacalar, Mexico in 2007.
The short version of this final chapter: the Mexican and American governments did absolutely nothing while Idema's criminal career went into hyper drive. In this writer's humble opinion had Idema not become infected with HIV in 2007 during his early days in Mexico (In addition to a heavy habit) he would have become a major problem for the United States, as he swore revenge on this nation for “betraying” him in Afghanistan! When this writer became aware of the threat posed to national security by Idema, he personally briefed a federal agent working for Homeland Security in early 2011. A week later, this writer was told by the same agent , “The American government can do nothing to Idema while he stays in Mexico.” When he told the agent that Idema was illegally a Mexican resident, the agent replied, “This is a matter for the Mexican government.”
Yes, Idema is dead and the world should rejoice!
But the Idema evil lives on...
And his victims continue to die.
MEXICAN NEWS REPORTS IN SPANISH WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION CONCERNING THE DEATH OF IDEMA:
domingo 22 de enero de 2012
Expediente IDEMA: ¿Se regó el SIDA en Bacalar?
En atención al acuerdo emitido en esta misma fecha, por un suscrito, el que señala lo siguiente: ''En la ciudad de Chetumal, Quintana Roo; a seis de julio de dos mil once. VISTO: EI oficio número PGJEjSZSjDGAp/1572j2011 suscrito por el Director General de Averiguaciones Previas de la Procuraduría General de Justicia del Estado, mediante el cual remite un informe y copia de la averiguación número APjZSjCHEjOljSDj2410/7-2010 iniciada en contra de Jonathan Keith Idema, anexo a dicho oficio, obra el informe del agente ministerial que integra dicha indagatoria, en la cual señaló con fecha diecisiete de junio de dos mil once, se citó por segunda vez al presunto responsable, y que era menester desahogar dicha declaración, así como las declaraciones de dos testigos de los hechos. En razón de lo anterior y toda vez que dicho informe satisface con lo solicitado y ha remitido la documentación que lo apoye, además de la imperiosa necesidad de continuar con la integración de la queja, para estar en aptitud de emitir la determinación que conforme a derecho proceda. De ello, se advierte que la quejosa Penny Alesi denunció ante este Organismo haber sido victima de varios delitos imputados a Jonathan Keith Idema, mismo que fueron denunciados en la averiguación previa ya señalada, así como referir que no puede regresar a México para seguir los cargos pero quiere que lo detengan, además de remitir copia de su denuncia ante el agente ministerial,' de ello, se solicitó el informe respectivo, en el que se dio contestación del trámite que sí le ha dado a la dicha Averiguación Previa, en la cual como últimas diligencias se ha citado por segunda vez al presunto responsable y se indicó la necesidad de contar con dos testigos de los hechos, con lo cual, consideraron se podía integrar debidamente dicha indagatoria. Por ello, con fundamento en los artículos 49 fracciones IV y 51 y 63 de la Ley de la Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Estado de Quintana Roo, 18 y 21 inciso d) párrafo cuarto del Reglamento de la Ley de la Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Estado de Quintana Roo, por ello, se ACUERDA: Primero: Désele vista a la parte quejosa por el término de tres días contados a partir del siguiente al de la notificación del presente acuerdo para efecto de que manifieste lo que a su derecho corresponda, así como también dentro del mismo plazo aporte pruebas que controviertan el informe de la autoridad responsable, una vez transcurrido este, con informe o sin él, dese nueva cuenta para proveer lo conducente. Segundo. Agréguese dicho oficio al presente expediente de queja para que obre en él, como legalmente corresponde. Así lo acordó y firma el licenciado José Carlos Cortés Mugártegui, Primer Visitador General de la Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Estado de Quintana Roo.
Derivado de esto, el empresario que promovió el juicio contra Bancomer, Carlos Parra Jiménez, solicitó en ese entonces al Congreso del Estado, investigar a los magistrados que participaron en el fraude, solicitud que le llegó a la Legislatura justo antes de iniciar un proceso de renovación de magistrados del TSJ.
POOR ENGLISH TRANSLATION
The former wife of Jonathan Keith Idema, former U.S. Green Beret who died this weekend in Bacalar, said in mid-2011 to the Human Rights Commission of Quintana Roo, the subject was watering AIDS in Bacalar.
But not only alerted, but also gave them the medical certificate of Idema, that leaves no room for doubt that the former soldier did have AIDS, because they have to say, until the time of his death, has been speculated this particular, because the absence of a medical document to the public, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the body of an American was suspected.
Record Quintana Roo had access to the file that shows the documents and photographs that received the State Commission on Human Rights to intervene, in the absence of results from the State Attorney's Office in this case apparently goes beyond the story of a battered wife, because of the victim say, Idema went AIDS watering Bacalar.
Originally, Penny Alesi, Idema's former wife, the criminal complaint with the Attorney General of the State in August 2010, for crimes of domestic violence, rape, illegal deprivation of personal liberty and danger to the health of people , the latter, referring to former green Beret was a carrier of AIDS.
However, the attorney did not act on the subject, although he refused to attend twice as many citations that turned the institution.
Inexplicably, the subject was not presented, if I bothered, despite his refusal to appear voluntarily authorized the Attorney General to release at least one order of presentation to advance the proceedings.
This lack of action by the Attorney General and because Penny Alesi feared for his life, raised a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Quintana Roo, to disagreement with the PGJE and what is, to ignore his complaint against Idema and because they also knew that the American AIDS was watering Bacalar.
Derived from this complaint, the opening created CDHEQROO VG/OPB/147/06/2011 record.
THE HAND WASHING CDHEQROO
On July 6, 2011, the first inspector general of the Human Rights Commission of the State of Quintana Roo, Jose Carlos Cortes Mugartegui, Penny sent the Office Number VG-I-726/2011 Alesi, in response to your complaint.
The office has two resolutions, both unsatisfactory for the victim.
The first operative paragraph gives the aggrieved testify about the case and provide evidence of their claims. While the second, simply orders the office to add record.
Here the text of the trade in question:
In view of the agreement issued on this same date, a signed, which states:''In the city of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, on July 6, two thousand eleven. SEEN: EI office PGJEjSZSjDGAp/1572j2011 number signed by the Director General of preliminary investigations of the Attorney General of the State, through which submits a report and copy of the inquiry initiated against number APjZSjCHEjOljSDj2410/7-2010 Jonathan Keith Idema of, attached to the profession, the report of the agent work that integrates such ministerial inquiry, in which he said dated June 17 two thousand eleven, was cited for the second time the alleged perpetrator, and that it was necessary to vent the declaration, as well as statements of two eyewitnesses. Because of this and given that this report meets with the request and forwarded the documentation to support it, plus the urgent need for further integration of the complaint, to be in a position to issue a determination in accordance with law appropriate. Accordingly, we find that the claimant complained to Penny Alesi this organization have been the victim of several crimes attributed to Jonathan Keith Idema, which were reported in the preliminary investigation already mentioned, and can not refer back to Mexico to continue the charges but want to be arrested, as well as provide a copy of his complaint to the ministerial agent, 'it was requested the respective report, in which the proceeding was yes answer has been given to such preliminary inquiry, in which as last diligence has been cited for the second time the suspect and indicated the need for two witnesses to the events, which, they felt they could properly integrate this investigation. Thus, based on Articles 49 and 51 fractions IV and 63 of the Act Human Rights Commission of the State of Quintana Roo, 18 and 21 paragraph d) the fourth paragraph of the Regulations of the Law of Human Rights Commission State of Quintana Roo, therefore, it is agreed: First: Give it a view of the complaining party for a period of three days from the day
In view of the agreement issued on this same date, a signed, which states:''In the city of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, on July 6, two thousand eleven. SEEN: EI office PGJEjSZSjDGAp/1572j2011 number signed by the Director General of preliminary investigations of the Attorney General of the State, through which submits a report and copy of the inquiry initiated against number APjZSjCHEjOljSDj2410/7-2010 Jonathan Keith Idema of, attached to the profession, the report of the agent work that integrates such ministerial inquiry, in which he said dated June 17 two thousand eleven, was cited for the second time the alleged perpetrator, and that it was necessary to vent the declaration, as well as statements of two eyewitnesses. Because of this and given that this report meets with the request and forwarded the documentation to support it, plus the urgent need for further integration of the complaint, to be in a position to issue a determination in accordance with law appropriate. Accordingly, we find that the claimant complained to Penny Alesi this organization have been the victim of several crimes attributed to Jonathan Keith Idema, which were reported in the preliminary investigation already mentioned, and can not refer back to Mexico to continue the charges but want to be arrested, as well as provide a copy of his complaint to the ministerial agent, 'it was requested the respective report, in which the proceeding was yes answer has been given to such preliminary inquiry, in which as last diligence has been cited for the second time the suspect and indicated the need for two witnesses to the events, which, they felt they could properly integrate this investigation. Thus, based on Articles 49 and 51 fractions IV and 63 of the Act Human Rights Commission of the State of Quintana Roo, 18 and 21 paragraph d) the fourth paragraph of the Regulations of the Law of Human Rights Commission State of Quintana Roo, therefore, it is agreed: First: Give it a view of the complaining party for a period of three days from the day following the notification of this agreement to the effect that he expresses his right to appropriate, as well also within the same time provide evidence to dispute the report of the responsible authority, after this, with a report or not, give yourself a new account to provide the appropriate course. Second. Add this job to present the complaint file to make good in him, as legally appropriate. This was agreed and signed by the lawyer Jose Carlos Cortes Mugartegui, First Inspector General of the Human Rights Commission of the State of Quintana Roo.
PENNY'S RESPONSE ALESIA DEVELOPER; EXHIBIT
The former wife of Jonathan Keith Idema said this trade from the United States through an email address, posted on November 9, 2011, Jose Carlos Cortes Mugartegui, the inspector general of Human Rights in Quintana Roo.
In this email, Penny Alesi expressed disappointment and anger over the lack of action CDHEQR, but above all, contribute data and evidence on their words
explain that your health condition, they have AIDS, can not come to Mexico for prosecution, but also afraid of being murdered by her former husband, whom she defines as an extremely dangerous man, carrying drugs and weapons.
And it also reminds the visitor-general of Human Rights, which he already knows that Idema has been spreading AIDS in Bacalar, where the ex-Green Beret now know, he lived until his last day alive.
However, there is another part that stands out in the mail from Penny Alesi, it suggests that visitor's own Human Rights played an important role in the impunity enjoyed Idema all this time ..
I find it completely deplorable, despicable and downright disrespectful that you cannot understand my case. I am ill, very ill. I have given you the name of my witness, Fabian Francisco Vazquez Gonzalez, with his phone number. Mr. Gonzalez called you himself to explain everything and even told you he has a demand against Idema. You have seen my charges. You know Idema gave me AIDS, you know I am not able to travel there or it will kill me. Yet, you do nothing. What is wrong with you? You know about Idema, you know he is there illegally, you know he is a war criminal, you know he has drugs & guns, you know he is giving out AIDS and he is very dangerous, yet you do nothing. I promise you, there are Americans & Mexicans that will see that justice will be served. I also promise you, that I will tell the media & everyone what part you have played in letting this criminal get away with the crime he committed against me. I hope God forgives you, because I won't.
JOSE CARLOS CORTEZ Mugartegui
The Inspector General of the CDHEQR, José Carlos Cortes Mugartegui, had to leave in October 2009, his position as judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Quintana Roo, after a fraud scandal for Bancomer in which he was involved, the do from a process by which, using its powers as a judge, judged partially favoring the company.
Derived from this, the businessman who promoted the suit against Bancomer, Carlos Parra Jimenez then asked the State Congress, to investigate the judges who participated in the fraud, a request that the Legislature came just before starting a process of renewal of judges of the Supreme Court.
On October 20 of that year, Congress ratified Quintana Roo only two Supreme Court judges, including Mugartegui Cortes was not, why was separated
This is a photo of the passport of former Green Beret:
This is a picture of Penny Alesi in the hospital, where he received treatment for his illness: AIDS
* All these pictures were provided by Penny Alesi own.
ARE IN BACALAR spread AIDS?
Alesi Penny's warning is clear. However, it is unknown whether either Idema disease spread beyond the inner circle of friends, for it is common knowledge that this man carried out at great expense holidays at his home in Bacalar.
No health authority of Quintana Roo has reported some inspection work on the subject there.
Nor is there any certainty who participated in the festivities, where it is said, used drugs and had sex massive.
While there is no health inspection in place, the question that prevails over time is transformed into an urban legend. One who realizes the experiences of "Rambo Bacalar."
MORE FROM MEXICO IN SPANISH WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Víctima del Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (Sida) falleció en su domicilio en Bacalar, Jonathan Keith “Jack” Idema, ex boina verde del ejército de Estados Unidos y caza recompensas, quien en agosto de 2010 fue denunciado por violencia intrafamiliar, violación, privación ilegal de la libertad personal y peligro para la salud de las personas, en agravio de su entonces pareja sentimental Penny Alesio, además de tener cuentas pendientes en su país por fraude. La muerte de esta persona fue reportada al número de emergencias 066, debido que sus amigos y familiares dejaron de frecuentarlo.
Diddier Felipe Vázquez Méndez, director general de Seguridad Pública y Tránsito en el municipio de Bacalar, señaló que el reporte fue hecho a través del número de emergencias 066, donde informaron que el cuerpo del ex militar estadounidense y caza recompensas se encontraba inerte dentro de su vivienda situada en el predio 509 de la avenida Costera de esa ciudad.
Mencionó el jefe policiaco que tenían conocimiento que Jonathan Keith “Jack” Idema se encontraba en fase terminal por el Sida que padecía, por lo que se informó a la Embajada de Estados Unidos del deceso de esta persona, quien no tenía familiares cercanos y sus amigos dejaron de frecuentarlo.
Señaló que del deceso del estadounidense se hizo cargo el agente del Ministerio Público del Fuero Común y policías judiciales de Bacalar, que al término de sus diligencias trasladaron el cuerpo de “Jack” al anfiteatro del Servicio Médico Forense de Chetumal, en espera que su cuerpo sea reclamado por la Embajada de Estados Unidos o algún familiar.
Cabe señalar que a principios de agosto de 2010, Jonathan Keith “Jack” Idema, fue denunciado ante el representante social por violencia intrafamiliar, violación, privación de la libertad personal y peligro para la salud de las personas, pues de las investigaciones que ha realizado la Policía Judicial se desprende que el acusado aparentemente es portador del Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (Sida) y contagió a su pareja sentimental en ese entonces, Penny Alesio, quien lo demandó.
Penny Alesio, tras estos hechos, fue requerida por la Embajada de Estados Unidos en México, razón por la que de inmediato se regresó a su país, pero antes de esto en su declaración ministerial señaló que “Jack” la mantuvo privada de su libertad durante varios días en su residencia de Bacalar, donde la obligaba a sostener relaciones sexuales con él.
El vínculo que “Jack” tiene con las personas que la Policía Judicial investigaba a raíz de la denuncia de la mujer, era referente a las fiestas de índole sexual que realizaba en el interior de la propiedad número 509, en la avenida Costera de Bacalar, y por delitos en contra de la salud y seguridad de las personas, porque aparentemente este sujeto tenía Sida.
A principios de octubre de 2010, el ex boina verde y caza recompensas acusado de privar de su libertad a una estadounidense, estaba citado para comparecer y rendir su declaración ante el agente del Ministerio Público del Fuero Común de Bacalar, pero no se presentó, pues al parecer “Jack” abandonó su residencia y presuntamente se refugió en Belice con ayuda de una mujer identificada como Lynn Thomas, originaria de Chicago, quien tiene una propiedad en ese país caribeño.
Además, “Jack” estaba acusado en su país de origen de múltiples cargos por fraude, y era buscado por un investigador privado de nombre Bill Hagler, pues le estafó poco más de 100 mil dólares.
En Bacalar, Jack era propietario de la empresa de paseos en lancha Blue Lagoon, fue convicto en 2004 por haber coordinado una prisión privada en la que mantenía secuestrados bajo tortura a supuestos terroristas en Afganistán, donde operaba como caza recompensas, y fue liberado en abril de 2007 después de cumplir tres de los 10 años que le pusieron como sentencia, porque el gobierno afgano, encabezado por Hamid Karzai, le otorgó el perdón.
Después de eso, todo indica que vino a radicar a Bacalar, donde finalmente ayer su cuerpo fue encontrado sin vida en el interior de su vivienda.
POOR ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THIS ARTICLE:
Diddi Felipe Vazquez Mendez, director general of Public Security and Traffic in the town of Bacalar, said the report was made through the 066 emergency number, which reported that the body of former U.S. military and bounty hunter was inert in its dwelling in the land 509 of the Costera Avenue in that city.
He mentioned the police chief who knew that Jonathan Keith "Jack" Idema was terminally suffering from AIDS, as reported to the U.S. Embassy of the death of this person, who had no close relatives and friends ceased to haunt him.
He noted that the death of the U.S. took over the prosecutor's Jurisdiction and judicial police Bacalar, that at the end of its proceedings moved the body of "Jack" at the amphitheater of the Forensic Medical Service Chetumal, pending your body be claimed by the U.S. Embassy or a family member.
It should be noted that in early August 2010, Jonathan Keith "Jack" Idema, was reported to the social representative of domestic violence, rape, deprivation of personal liberty and danger to the health of people, because of the investigations carried out Judicial Police, it appears that the defendant apparently carries the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and spread to his girlfriend at the time, Penny Alesio, who sued him.
Penny Alesio, after these events, was required by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, which is why he immediately returned home, but prior to this in his ministerial statement said that "Jack" kept deprived of their liberty for several days at his home in Bacalar, where he forced her to have sex with him.
The link "Jack" has with the Judicial Police who investigated the complaint following the woman was referring to the holidays of a sexual nature performed within the property number 509, on Avenue Costera de Bacalar, and crimes against health and safety of people, because apparently this guy had AIDS.
In early October 2010, the Green Beret and former bounty hunter charged with deprivation of their freedom to an American, was summoned to appear and testify before the prosecutor of the Common Jurisdiction of Bacalar, but are not presented because apparently "Jack" and allegedly left his residence in Belize took refuge with the help of a woman identified as Lynn Thomas, originally from Chicago, who owns property in the Caribbean country.
In addition, "Jack" was accused in his country of origin of multiple counts of fraud, and was wanted for a private investigator named Bill Hagler, because he cheated a little over $ 100 000.
In Bacalar, Jack owned company Blue Lagoon boat rides, was convicted in 2004 for coordinating private prison where hostages held under torture to suspected terrorists in Afghanistan, where it operated as a bounty hunter, and was released in April 2007 after serving three of the 10 years that began as a sentence, because the Afghan government led by Hamid Karzai, was granted a pardon.
After that, everything indicates that came to lie to Bacalar, where yesterday his body was finally found dead inside their home.
Fayetteville con man reportedly dead in Mexico
Related Images
AP
American Jonathan Keith Idema, 48, charged with running his own private prison and abuse of Afghan prisoners in Kabul, stands trial in the Afghan capital on Wednesday, July 21, 2004. The US military on Thursday acknowledged it held an Afghan man for a month after receiving him from three American counterterror vigilantes who have since been arrested on charges of torture at a private jail they ran in the Afghan capital.
Jonathan Keith “Jack” Idema, the con man extraordinaire from Fayetteville who spent years in an Afghan prison for running a private jail and torture chamber while claiming to be a secret Pentagon operative, has reportedly died in Mexico.
His death at age 55 marks the end of perhaps the most colorful, unpleasant and self-dramatizing character to tread North Carolina soil since Blackbeard.
Idema was a former soldier who reinvented himself repeatedly as he ran cons from Fayetteville to Uzbekistan. At various times he claimed to be a businessman, author, “superpatriot” terrorist hunter, drug and gun smuggler, bodyguard, security consultant, CIA paramilitary operator, Pentagon-backed special operator and, finally, charter boat captain.
The cause of death was complications from AIDS, according to local newspaper reports in Mexico and a former girlfriend, Penny Alessi, who was in contact with him until days before his death.
He apparently succumbed several days ago, but a U.S. State Department official in Washington said the government has not been able to confirm his death. A consulate official in Merida, Mexico, said the office is being careful because they’ve had trouble confirming his identity.
They are hardly the first.
Idema was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and enlisted in the Army after high school. He served with the Special Forces from 1975 to 1978, according to his military record, and was then discharged from active duty.
He eventually went into the paintball equipment business in Fayetteville and began selling military-style clothing.
In 1994, he was convicted of fraud in U.S. District court for using a shell company to bilk suppliers of items valued at more than $200,000.
He served four years in prison, and there started a lasting pattern: He claimed that he had been set up by a government agency, this time the FBI.
According to records, he was charged with more than three dozen other crimes in North Carolina, among them assault on a female, assault with a deadly weapon, passing worthless checks, assault by pointing a gun and reckless driving.
Until his death, he was still wanted in Wake County for impersonating a law enforcement officer during a 2004 traffic stop.
In late 2001, he popped up in Afghanistan, claiming to be, variously, a humanitarian aid worker, CIA operative and hired advisor to the Northern Alliance forces who fought with U.S. troops against the Taliban.
He conned one Afghan warlord into believing that he was training some of the warlord’s men on behalf of the U.S. government, then instead rented their services to journalists who needed security details.
Several journalists were taken in by his offers of information and security, and he successfully used his fake covert operator act to woo at least a few female journalists, said Robert Young Pelton, author of “Licensed to Kill: Hired Guns in the War on Terror.” The book includes a chapter on Idema that plays almost like comic relief amidst tales of mercenaries.
Eventually his play-acting in Afghanistan took a more serious turn than just hoodwinking Dan Rather or foisting fake Taliban training video on cable news producers.
At some point, he and a rag-tag band of followers he dubbed Task Force Saber 7, began kidnapping innocent Afghan “terror suspects” and torturing them, ostensibly to find the location of Osama bin Laden and other terrorist leaders.
In 2004, Afghan authorities arrested him and two American accomplices, Brent Bennett, another former soldier from Fayetteville, and Ed Caraballo, a freelance videographer.
In an Afghan court, Idema claimed that he had been operating with the support and knowledge of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and other American officials.
U.S. and Afghan officials repeatedly said he had been operating on his own.
The trio was convicted of kidnapping and torture, and they were sent to Pul-e-Charkhi prison outside Kabul.
It’s one of the most notorious prisons in the world because of the dangerous inmates and harsh conditions. Idema, though, somehow managed to land in an apartment-style cell with luxurious carpets, satellite television and a private bathroom and dining area. He had a pet dog, a phone and access to the internet, which he used to make more mischief, tormenting his enemies and threatening legal action.
He was supposed to serve 10 years, but President Hamid Karzai commuted his sentence 2007.
Idema had collected a handful of supporters in the United States, and one, an attorney, filed suit against the federal government, accusing the State Department and FBI of gaming the Afghan judicial and prison systems to get Idema convicted and tortured.
It was just one of many lawsuits filed by Idema or on his behalf.
Idema sued CBS. He sued Steven Spielberg's studio, claiming a movie starring George Clooney was an unauthorized version of his story. He sued people with whom he stored the remnants of his military gear company.
He sued enemies, he threatened friends. At one point, he even sued his own father, who is now dead.
When he got out of the Afghan prison, Idema still had warrants out for his arrest in North Carolina and also feared shadowy federal charges if he was caught in the United States. Instead of coming home, said Alessi, his former girlfriend, he went to Dubai, where he began trying to pull together a drug and arms smuggling operation. Then he moved to Mexico.
There, he settled in a Middle East-turreted house and began running a charter boat for tourists.
Idema reinvented himself not only repeatedly but well, said Pelton.
And much of the Idema story would be funny if only he hadn’t left a trail of damaged lives as he scammed his way around the world, Pelton said.
“He would meet somebody that he needed, or wanted to be like, like (author) Robin Moore, then absorb all their mannerisms, words and the way they dressed,” he said.
It worked in part because he was highly intelligent, Pelton said. Few con artists could worm their way into helping Moore, the author of “The Green Berets,” write a book.
And few could come up with such strong legal arguments for so many spurious causes, he said.
Indeed, Alessi said, Idema wrote nearly all of the legal filings that he was involved with.
“I know, because I sat there and watched him,” she said. “Then the lawyers would just sign off on them.”
Alessi said that Idema’s problems went beyond criminality, that he had to be mentally ill because he seemed to believe his own made-up stories.
“At one point, I was talking with him on the phone, and he was said he didn’t have AIDS, that it was impossible because he had ‘superblood,’” she said
“He told the same stories again and again, and even if he was drunk and stoned out of his mind, the details were always exactly the same, because he really believed these things, even that ‘superblood’ stuff,” Alessi said.
When he got to Mexico, Alessi, who had begun corresponding with Idema online while he was locked in the Afghan prison, began spending time with him in the turreted house.
In his last few years, she said, as he began to fall apart from the effects of his illness and epic drug and alcohol use, his extraordinary skills got scrambled and he couldn’t stick to just one fake persona.
For the public, he played the daytime role of a tour boat operator known as “Captain Black Jack,” modeled after “The Pirates of the Caribbean” movie character played by Johnny Depp.
At home, he lounged in Arab robes, a cut-rate Lawrence of Arabia. A pirate flag wafted from house’s minaret-like turret.
He would often go on round-the-clock vodka-and cocaine-fueled binges while playing Arab music, the sound track of “Apocalypse Now” or Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” nonstop, said Alessi.
To the end, one of Idema’s biggest fears was not being taken seriously. In late 2010 after The News & Observer ran a story that dubbed him “a walking parody of U.S. foreign policy,” a reporter reached Idema on his cell phone. The often charming sociopath loosed a fusillade of active verb-laden profanity and threats.
“I’ll come up there and put a bullet in your ... head,” he concluded. “You’ve got no … idea who you are (messing) with.”
Which was true.
It will probably always be unclear who, exactly, Jonathan Keith Idema really was.
“The question,” Pelton said, “is who that one person is who he actually told the truth to?
“Was there even one?”
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