MISSOULA, Mont., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- "America's Most Wanted" said it is joining the manhunt for a Montana ex-militia leader who allegedly shot at a pair of sheriff's deputies then vanished in June.
Missoula County Sheriff's Detective Jason Johnson said he worked with the television production crew to ensure accurate information for filming a re-enactment of the alleged shootout between David Burgert and the sheriff's deputies, The (Missoula, Mont.) Missoulian reported Monday.
"We were concerned that it would be overly dramatic, but what we found is that they very much wanted it to be accurate," Johnson said.
Burgert, 47, of Flathead is affiliated with a right-wing militant group called Project 7, which gained notoriety in 2002 for allegedly stockpiling explosives and firearms in preparation for revolution.
He was arrested that year and sentenced to federal prison on weapons charges. He was released March 19, 2010.
Burgert has been the subject of a search by law enforcement since he allegedly shot at sheriff's deputies and led them on a dangerous chase along a local highway before disappearing into the woods, The Missoulian reported.
The publicity "America's Most Wanted" will bring improves the chances that someone recognizes him, Johnson said.
"It brings out a huge potential for tips to come in that will get this guy caught," he said.
