Behind the Bastards Behind the Bastards Presents: Weird Little Guys
Dec 15, 2024
Dive into the chaotic life of Frank Sweeney, a con artist with ties to the American Nazi Party, whose deceptions ranged from bizarre claims of military service to a botched bank robbery. Discover his tumultuous years behind bars, marked by connections to organized crime and a notorious prison escape. The chilling tale of a family's harassment through disturbing postcards reveals the dark side of obsession. Explore quirky characters and eccentricities in culture that remind us to embrace the oddities of life.
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Teenage Bank Robbery With A Toy Gun
- Frank Sweeney attempted a bank robbery at 18 using a painted toy gun and was arrested outside a Palisade Trust Company branch.
- He later admitted the plan was to fund the American Nazi Party and pleaded guilty to attempted bank robbery.
Tommy Gun Standoff At Family Home
- In July 1967 Frank fired a Thompson submachine gun in the woods, then shot at police from inside his parents' house during a lengthy siege.
- Officers used tear gas and arrested him after his father pleaded with him to come out.
Rhodesian Mercenaries Were Symbolic Not Decisive
- Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) attracted a small number of foreign mercenaries during the Bush War, often glorified but strategically minor.
- Frank's Rhodesian service fit a larger pattern of American extremists seeking violent adventures abroad.