Keith Idema

R.J. · 08-26-2008, 07:12 PM

Does any one know what ever happened to Kieth Idema of Idema combat systems.
Last that I heard he was in Afgannie prison for being stupid knowing Kieth that comes as no big suprise.
RJ

Brinstar · 08-26-2008, 07:17 PM

Someone may have something more recent, but here's a couple older threads on him for you to dig through in the meantime..Looks like he was released last year.

Keith Idema Released from Jail
Is this the same Idema?

c6quad · 08-26-2008, 08:14 PM

you can google his name too.

Mar · 08-26-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c6quad

you can google his name too.

I betcha in jail he got 'googled' plenty! BooYAH!

HP_Lovecraft · 08-26-2008, 09:28 PM

I met him a few times in the old days. Our team even won the Idema "Sargie Award" at an event. He is the type of person that you either love, or hate instantly after you meet him.

His products were excellent, changed the way people carried paintballs.
But, his company also ripped off many, many fields. He also used his magazine to defame anyone that complained. So when he was sent to jail for ripping us off, not many were sad about it.

My opinion was pretty negative, until I found out about what he was doing Afghanistan. He was risking his life for the USA... and yes.. maybe a few bucks as well, but I changed my mind, and I think he is pretty cool again. I wouldnt trust him with my money, but that doesnt mean much today.

Gillymonster · 08-27-2008, 05:04 AM

^^^^got to agree with lovecraft on this.

Some of our team's performances at events were salvaged in that even though we didnt make the finals, we got a "Sargie" award. Haha, still cause to brag...

I heard he still has lawsuits in litigation for money he says is owed to him by the Government.
Heard he is residing in Jersey after his release.
Shady dealings were a part of his forte'.
His girlfriend was just as controversial.
His paintball products were groundbreaking and well made.
Any ICS item is still very collectible.

Like him or not, he is part of our sport's history.....

Gilly

Shiba-Kun · 08-27-2008, 11:02 AM

I used one of his packs for awhile. I think I got it from him during one of his trips out West around 90 or 91.

He seemed like a pretty egotistical guys ("I'm Keith Idema dammit!" is one quote I'll never forget him saying) but his pack systems and vests were very nice for the times.

L.I Caretaker · 08-27-2008, 09:27 PM

Before anyone starts bashing Idema,they may want to read up on him.I have known him since 1988 and He is a stand up guy.. How the hell does someone jet around the world,always have arms an support without goverment backing.??.Google his name an read.

Sounds like Dark-ops to me.

As far as screwing people.When he went to trail his business got trashed by the morons running it..Not him..When he was sentenced to 6 years he was paroled after 3 in that time frame is when his busineess went down hill..While he was in Jail

Illegal entry into Afghanistan was one of the charges leveled against Idema and two other Americans accompanying him – former soldier Brent Bennett and television journalist Edward Caraballo. That charge was eventually dropped.[citation needed]

Idema first traveled to Afghanistan in November 2001 to conduct what he said was "humanitarian relief" work.[29] It was at this time that he involved himself in the research Robin Moore was conducting for his book The Hunt for Bin Laden

On August 15, 2001 a jury awarded Idema 781,818 dollars for property damage and 1 million dollars for punitive damages. The award came after a jury decided that a property manager improperly sold some of his belongings while Idema was serving his fraud sentence. Two property managers were hired by Idema to take care of a building that housed equipment for two of his businesses, Special Operations Exposition and Trade Show Inc., and Idema Combat Systems. According to the lawsuit, equipment was missing, damaged or destroyed, and holes were punched in the walls of the building. Idema sued both property managers and their wives on April 10, 2000, but everyone except for one property manager was later dropped from the suit.[26]

Robertsr · 08-28-2008, 08:03 AM

My biggest problem with Idema is that he comes out and says he's working in black ops for the government.

If he really is, he shouldn't be talking about it. If he's not he's an idiot. Damned both ways.

HP_Lovecraft · 08-28-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertsr

My biggest problem with Idema is that he comes out and says he's working in black ops for the government.

Truth is very hard to pin down with Idema. He has CERTAINTLY done some amazing things. Generally, for whatever he claims, I figure it is about 25% true.

Was he in special forces? Yes, but a cook, and kicked out shortly afterwards.

Was he working for the government to get Bin Laden? Yes, but as a 3rd party private contracter. Basically a bounty hunter.

My opinion has always been mixed. I know he claimed he was not involved in ripping people off with ICS, but he DID go to jail, for which he claims was really because of a Russian black-market nuclear-bomb spy-ring mess.

So, what is 25% of that?

08-26-2008, 07:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
R.J. MCB Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Middle Tennesse	Keith Idema Does any one know what ever happened to Kieth Idema of Idema combat systems. Last that I heard he was in Afgannie prison for being stupid knowing Kieth that comes as no big suprise. RJ

08-26-2008, 07:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Brinstar Seasoned Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Spokane	Someone may have something more recent, but here's a couple older threads on him for you to dig through in the meantime..Looks like he was released last year. Keith Idema Released from Jail Is this the same Idema? __________________ Forum Feedback

08-26-2008, 09:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
HP_Lovecraft Post Whore Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern Maine	I met him a few times in the old days. Our team even won the Idema "Sargie Award" at an event. He is the type of person that you either love, or hate instantly after you meet him. His products were excellent, changed the way people carried paintballs. But, his company also ripped off many, many fields. He also used his magazine to defame anyone that complained. So when he was sent to jail for ripping us off, not many were sad about it. My opinion was pretty negative, until I found out about what he was doing Afghanistan. He was risking his life for the USA... and yes.. maybe a few bucks as well, but I changed my mind, and I think he is pretty cool again. I wouldnt trust him with my money, but that doesnt mean much today. __________________ www.montneel.com "the evidence strongly suggests that neither Billy nor Adam (Smart Parts) could have invented the electronic paintgun" -Garr M. King, U.S. Judge

08-27-2008, 05:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Gillymonster Post Whore Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Santa Clarita, SoCal	Idema ^^^^got to agree with lovecraft on this. Some of our team's performances at events were salvaged in that even though we didnt make the finals, we got a "Sargie" award. Haha, still cause to brag... I heard he still has lawsuits in litigation for money he says is owed to him by the Government. Heard he is residing in Jersey after his release. Shady dealings were a part of his forte'. His girlfriend was just as controversial. His paintball products were groundbreaking and well made. Any ICS item is still very collectible. Like him or not, he is part of our sport's history..... Gilly

08-27-2008, 09:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
L.I Caretaker MCB Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Before anyone starts bashing Idema,they may want to read up on him.I have known him since 1988 and He is a stand up guy.. How the hell does someone jet around the world,always have arms an support without goverment backing.??.Google his name an read. Sounds like Dark-ops to me. As far as screwing people.When he went to trail his business got trashed by the morons running it..Not him..When he was sentenced to 6 years he was paroled after 3 in that time frame is when his busineess went down hill..While he was in Jail Illegal entry into Afghanistan was one of the charges leveled against Idema and two other Americans accompanying him – former soldier Brent Bennett and television journalist Edward Caraballo. That charge was eventually dropped.[citation needed] Idema first traveled to Afghanistan in November 2001 to conduct what he said was "humanitarian relief" work.[29] It was at this time that he involved himself in the research Robin Moore was conducting for his book The Hunt for Bin Laden On August 15, 2001 a jury awarded Idema 781,818 dollars for property damage and 1 million dollars for punitive damages. The award came after a jury decided that a property manager improperly sold some of his belongings while Idema was serving his fraud sentence. Two property managers were hired by Idema to take care of a building that housed equipment for two of his businesses, Special Operations Exposition and Trade Show Inc., and Idema Combat Systems. According to the lawsuit, equipment was missing, damaged or destroyed, and holes were punched in the walls of the building. Idema sued both property managers and their wives on April 10, 2000, but everyone except for one property manager was later dropped from the suit.[26] __________________ "Playing Since 1984" Master Blasters Traveling Road Show

08-27-2008, 11:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Shiba-Kun Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2006	I used one of his packs for awhile. I think I got it from him during one of his trips out West around 90 or 91. He seemed like a pretty egotistical guys ("I'm Keith Idema dammit!" is one quote I'll never forget him saying) but his pack systems and vests were very nice for the times.

08-28-2008, 08:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
Robertsr King of the OFG Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Waynesboro, VA	My biggest problem with Idema is that he comes out and says he's working in black ops for the government. If he really is, he shouldn't be talking about it. If he's not he's an idiot. Damned both ways. __________________ MicroMags 'R Us

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