TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on a self-described neo-Nazi arrested after federal agents found bomb-making materials in his Florida apartment (all times local):
5 p.m.
The defense attorney for a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi arrested after federal agents found bomb-making materials in his Florida apartment says allegations that his client was planning a bombing are a “pure fabrication.”
Ian Goldstein made the remark on Tuesday after a hearing during which a judge delayed deciding whether to release Russell on a $200,000 bond.
Federal prosecutors say Russell’s roommate Devon Arthurs killed two other roommates and told them that Russell had been planning to use explosive materials found in the unit to bomb civilians, synagogues and nuclear plants. Arthurs now faces two murder counts in state court for the slayings.
Goldstein called Arthurs a “double murderer trying to help himself who has clear mental issues.”
The judge said Tuesday that if Russell is released, he will be required to wear a monitoring device, and will not be allowed to use a computer “to promote or engage in neo-Nazi activities during the pretrial period.”
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2:30 p.m.
A federal judge has set a $200,000 bond and issued conditions for the release of a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi arrested after agents found bomb-making materials in his Florida apartment while investigating the slayings of his two roommates.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas McCoun III issued the release terms on Tuesday for 21-year-old Brandon Russell, who faces charges of unlawful storage of explosive materials and other related charges.
Russell’s roommate, Devon Arthurs, was arrested last month on suspicion of fatally shooting 22-year-old Jeremy Himmelman and 18-year-old Andrew Oneschuk. Authorities say Arthurs told them he killed the two because they were neo-Nazis who disrespected his recent conversion to Islam.
Police investigating the slayings found bomb-making materials in the Tampa apartment, and Russell later told agents they were his. Arthurs said Russell was planning to use the explosives to harm civilians, synagogues and nuclear facilities.
Judge McCoun ordered Russell placed in the custody of his grandmother in Orlando, and barred him from using a computer “to promote or engage in neo-Nazi activities during the pretrial period.”
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10 a.m.
Federal prosecutors say a neo-Nazi arrested after agents found bomb-making materials in his Florida apartment while investigating the slayings of his two roommates planned to use the explosives to harm civilians, nuclear facilities and synagogues.
Court documents filed Monday say a third roommate arrested in the killings told authorities that 21-year-old Brandon Russell had been targeting the sites.
The murder suspect, Devon Arthurs, was arrested last month after telling police he fatally shot 22-year-old Jeremy Himmelman and 18-year-old Andrew Oneschuk because they were neo-Nazis who disrespected his recent conversion to Islam.
Arthurs told police Russell was not involved in the shootings, but that he was planning a bombing.
The documents also state that police found two rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a skull mask in Russell’s car.
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