Hatewatch Tweets
Hatewatch is managed by the staff of the Intelligence Report, an investigative magazine published by the Alabama-based civil rights group Southern Poverty Law Center.
Ohio Neo-Nazi Busted for Weapons Was Tracking Jewish, Black Leaders
A convicted felon from Ohio with neo-Nazi sympathies and an illegal arsenal of assault rifles, semi-automatic pistols and other weapons was tracking Jewish and African-American community leaders in Detroit before his recent arrest by a federal anti-terrorism task force, according to a report by Michael Isikoff of NBC News.
“The FBI averted a catastrophe in this case, there’s no doubt about it,” Steven M. Dettelbach, the U.S. Attorney in Cleveland, told NBC News.
The suspect, Richard Schmidt, who spent 13 years in an Ohio prison for killing a man and wounding two others during a traffic dispute, had a notebook in his home with the names, addresses and other personal information of the Detroit area community leaders and their families, the report said. Members of an FBI Joint terrorism Task Force arrested Schmidt, who lives in Bowling Green, Ohio, where he also owns a sporting goods store.
According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Schmidt wasn’t just sympathetic to national socialism; he was a long-time member of the neo-Nazi National Alliance, (NA) acting as the Toledo contact for the group that once dominated the American radical right. Schmidt also occasionally attended meetings of the National Socialist Movement (NSM), currently the country’s largest neo-Nazi group, the ADL said.
“When I saw my name on a piece of paper along with information about our organization and our building written by an alleged neo-Nazi, it was certainly unnerving,” Scott Kaufman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, told NBC News.
FBI agents warned the Detroit area community leaders about the possible racist plot after they searched Schmidt’s Ohio home and discovered a video of the 2005 national meeting of the NSM and the notebook. NBC News said the authorities also removed from Schmidt’s home a list of national Jewish-owned businesses and paraphernalia from the Waffen SS.
“It was mind-blowing,” Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit NAACP, told NBC about his name appearing in the notebook. “Very unsettling, very disturbing, and it really kind of made me angry.”
Now that a potential bloodbath has been averted, the authorities are trying to determine how Schmidt was able to amass a cache of 18 weapons that included AR-15 assault rifles, 9 mm Ruger and Sig Sauer pistols, shotguns, high capacity magazines and more than 40,000 rounds of ammunition, according to the report. Schmidt was indicted last month, according to the report, on four federal charges, including possession of illegal weapons, body armor and ammunition. He has pleaded not guilty.
Dettelbach, the U.S. Attorney in Ohio, told NBC News that investigators believe the most likely way Schmidt acquired the weapons was at gun shows or through private sales – where under federal law no background checks are required.
on February 22nd, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Good. One more scumbag off the street.
on February 22nd, 2013 at 4:28 pm
I am shocked. I had no idea Detroit had community leaders.
on February 22nd, 2013 at 7:59 pm
I completely agree with you Aron. When the FBI catches scum like this it renews my hope that we can clean America up.
on February 23rd, 2013 at 5:40 am
Well, the gun nuts (not responsible gun owners) will show up soon claiming the same old tired justification mantra, “ya’ can’t keep guns away from bad guys”, instead of cheering the bust…sigh.
It’s the same kind of apathetic, irresponsible, response you hear from negligent parents who justify their little darlings overt-delinquent behavior as, “Kids….whadda’gonna’do?”
It’s all the same behavior pattern: multigenerational dysfunction (bad behavior unchecked) that grows/multiples until there’s an open display of public tragedy.
on February 23rd, 2013 at 3:43 pm
This guy seems to be evil, sick, dangerous, and has a penknife to grind.
He already killed one and wounded two in a traffic dispute, so he was no “keyboard commando.”
I hope that this guy’s life is fully investigated, and dissected. I want to know how and why this man was able to get hold of such an arsenal, and perhaps more importantly, how and why he became what he was.
Then I want him tried absolutely properly and held properly and fully accountable for his alleged misdeeds.
It would be amusing if he faced a black judge and required a Jewish public defender, though.
on February 23rd, 2013 at 5:10 pm
I would certainly say he acquired most of his weapons from gun shows. Having been to several gun shows here in AZ. One wouldn’t be too surprised how easily you can purchase weapons without questions asked. It’s that simple as buying candy at Walgreens. The mentally ill (future mass killers) can still buy their weapons of choice at gun shows.
on February 24th, 2013 at 1:48 am
I read another article about this guy today. It stated that he purchased his guns at gun shows and through private sales, which don’t require background checks.
on February 24th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Sam, how about being shocked that a convicted killer with more firepower than 41st Royal Marine Commando was preparing to massacre innocent people, instead of making a snarky crack about Detroit’s admittably deplorable condition?
I’m tired of people grinding penknives.
on February 24th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
Sam — I am hoping that your quip about Detroit having community leaders was a joke. The city is struggling — and Republican leadership in the state is doing everything it can to privatize schools, towns, etc. There are still many decent, hardworking people living there who are trying to make things better, and they deserve our applause and support. They don’t deserve to be treated as the punchlines in jokes.
Sorry for the criticism. I’ve just seen this before — where a community or part of a community is held up for derision (think Gary, Indiana, or East St. Louis, Illinois). I’ve worked in both places, and although both have some crime, mostly they are inhabited by some really great people who are just trying to breathe the life back into them.
In East St. Louis’s case, the companies comprising the tax base annexed themselves into their own town (Sauget) to avoid paying for the schools or for any city services. Thus, the city is working hard to educate their kids, pick up garbage, etc. with very little resources. I don’t know why this was allowed on Sauget’s part, other, perhaps, that it was “a race thing.” (East St. Louis is largely African American).
Gary’s downfall (although it is making a comeback) came about in the late 60s early 70s when an African-American Mayor was elected, and huge “White-flight” ensued. It was so stupid — even the whites, many of whom moved nextdoor into Hammond, IN, admit that now. What the heck did they think was going to happen? Anyway, there are some great groups, both city and region-wide as well as neighborhood based that are doing a lot to revive Gary. And I say, “good for them!”
on February 24th, 2013 at 4:23 pm
Shadow and Majii, I’m thinking you are right about where this idiot got them. I’m wondering how somebody this stupid can afford $9,000 worth of guns and $5,000 worth of ammo, give or take.
on February 25th, 2013 at 7:04 am
Singhx,
It is not an either or issue. I agree with those that say that incidents like this illustrate why strict gun control (and indeed contraband based laws in general) do not work. The only thing that really enforces contraband based laws is lack of market demand.
That said, of course I am happy that the feds busted an apparent sick bastard planning to commit domestic terror. In fact even if this guy is proven innocent of conspiracy in court, I am thankful that the police are vigielnt about these kinds of threats.
on February 25th, 2013 at 9:54 am
For a long time now, GOD has had me say that He is tired of racism and violence. Several years ago, Jesus literally appeared before me, and changed my skin tone to reddish-black, like where the redness from the flame meets the black on an ember of coal. Subsequently, I was guided to Rev. 1:15, where it talks about Jesus feet being like fine brass – brass is yellow but turns black when burned. A few years later, GOD guided me to Rev. 4:3 and Gen. 25:25, which respectively states: (1) And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone – jasper and sardine stone are reddish-black in color; and (2) And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. I have prophesied so many things. For example, my first prophesy was sent to Jesse Jackson and Peter Jennings, telling them that, in lieu of GOD being tired of racism and violence, there shall be an immediate increase in the magnitude of weather and other phenomena. Within a week of doing so, five hurricanes hit Florida in immediate succession. As time progressed, I prophesied subsequent increases in the magnitude of weather and other phenomena (prior to their occurrence) to Rick Sanchez and Tony Harris (formerly of CNN Atlanta). In that people were still not listening, GOD had me prophesy: There shall be great trials, tribulations, and devastation – like you have never seen; until I am heard to His satisfaction. Since then, many things have happened in which it was said: I have never seen anything like this before. I told the former governor of Alabama (Bob Riley) that great storms would rest upon Alabama. The night before the great tsunami hit Japan, and the subsequent tornado rampage in the United States, GOD had me post on my facebook page: Am I seeing great trials, tribulations, and devastation, like I prophesied. Recently, prior to hurricane Sandy, GOD told me that He was going to trouble the water, and had me post a video of someone singing “Wade in the Water,” with the following caption: GOD is going to trouble the water. He also had me post: soon you will see unusual things in unusual ways, reference weather and other phenomena. After Sandy hit, GOD had me email Gov. Chris Christie, telling him how He came to me and how He had me prophesy Sandy. When he did not respond, He had me email him again, telling him that there was soon to be a great tragedy. A few days later, the Sandy Hook massacre occurred. GOD then had me prophesy that the next phenomenon was weather. Recently, since people are still not listening, He had me post that greater things than what you have seen are on the way. Him that hath an ear, let him hear; thus saith GOD.
on February 25th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
There is nothing illegal about collecting information on people. Schmidt was planning on filing a lawsuit. He was preparing information to take to an attorney for a civil case.
This story says Schmidt was ” … tracking Jewish and African-American community leaders”. Yes he was. So what? The SPLC “tracks” people all the time. The SPLC collects information and files lawsuits all the time. So nothing illegal here. Darrell Lamont Jenkins at OnePeoplesProject.com collects information and tracks perceived political opponents.
on February 25th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
how did this guy get out of prison in the first place he killed one and injured two others
on February 25th, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Even if gun control doesn’t fully end gun violence. But if most cities and towns had imposed a ban of gun shows operatives in their area. That alone, would greatly reduce white extremist threats, like the one in this article.
on February 25th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
I see Jason/Eugene/Annie/cretin of a thousand names and same dreary little mosquito whine is back. Must be Cretins’ Homecoming Week.
on February 25th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
Eugene, has Daryl Lamont Jenkins ever been caught with a cache of illegal weapons?
on February 25th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
James Waller, meet Sam Molloy. It sounds like the two of you will get along famously.
on February 25th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
Good point, Eugene. The SPLC also tracks people, violent ones, and both the Democraps and Republican’ts monitor political opponents for slipups and attack rhetoric. This individual did violate the law as a convicted felon possessing firearms.
Shadow Wolf, I don’t like the air of violence at gun shows, and don’t trust the guns sold there to actually work. I believe violent people will find them wherever they are. I have mentioned before that universal background checks can be quickly instituted, with the seller having the responsibility to keep the existng paper copy. One line for the serial number would have to be added. There are people who are holding out for a registration database. Two of many reasons to not do that are cost, and the old story of how it only controls the law abiding citizens who are not the problem.
on February 25th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
Ruslan > I am “tracking” Darrell Lamont Jenkin’s Body Mass Index (BMI). He weighs about 600 pounds and has a really big belly. In Europe you never see such really fat people on the street. Only in America.
Sam> Thanks for your comment. I’ve only filed a couple of lawsuits in my life. Each time I collected information prior to going to my lawyer’s office. It makes his job easier. I still have a stack of documents in my closet related to one jackass who was trying to blackmail me. I won that case. So yes. I do have documents on people from my past who tried to harm me and I’ve filed lawsuits, just like the SPLC. So what? Every company has an HR department and a legal department which keeps documents on former employees in case of potential future lawsuits. There is NOTHING illegal about keeping documents on people.
on February 25th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
Ruslan > I am “tracking” Darrell Lamont Jenkin’s Body Mass Index (BMI). He now weighs about 600 pounds and has a really big belly.
Sam > Thanks for your comment. Nothing illegal about keeping a stack of documents on people. The SPLC publishes tons of information on people they investigate.
on February 25th, 2013 at 8:58 pm
James Waller-
….If Jesus turned your skin to “reddish black” I suggest you go see a doctor immediately. That sounds like a REALLY nasty rash. And the only prophecy I see here is you getting sent to the crazy bin, buddy.
on February 26th, 2013 at 6:26 am
Ian,
You missed my entire point; it’s not about any either or argument…
The point is about our home-grown apathy, plus, our political taboo of doing anything about this pattern of perpetuating this overt, sometimes fatal, aberrant behavior…it keeps dragging on generation after generation.
It is popular among a certain sector of american society, even politically correct, to turn ones backs on this kind of behavior from gun violence or defend it as “right” (i.e., defending David Koresh–we all know that the bad old guv’r'mint just want to take guns from a good christian), We’re just supposed to “accept” the violent shooter as just part of our apathetic “boys will be boys” culture, especially the white boys, and they somehow deserve a pass…
on February 26th, 2013 at 10:37 am
Ray you are totally unfair to cretins. I challenge you to find a cretin half as hateful as our troll.
on February 26th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
I’d love to talk to James Waller. I firmly believe that anyone who is gifted with Prophesy will be thought strange by average people.
on February 27th, 2013 at 8:57 am
I was talking with a group of people last week, as a reformed racist I was trying to explain to them how these type of people are still out there. They were so convinced that these days were over. I hope people will not just turn their heads and ignore these dangerous groups. And I know there are many more out there, planning these armed attacks.
on February 28th, 2013 at 9:59 pm
James Waller, whats with this GOD thingy? Weird if you ask me ……
on March 1st, 2013 at 4:11 am
One less Ron Paul Spammer on the internet!
on March 1st, 2013 at 7:59 am
What was his relationship with National Alliance Chairman Erich Gliebe who also resides in Ohio.
on March 1st, 2013 at 9:01 am
James Waller…
“…changed my skin tone to reddish-black, like where the redness from the flame meets the black on an ember of coal.”
Sounds painful – you might want to get that looked at.
on March 1st, 2013 at 10:14 am
Here you have a Nazi follower owning a sporting goods store and every one is shocked about how many guns he owns. Come on, isn’t that a little ridiculous to be shocked about? Shouldn’t owners of sporting good stores also have back ground checks?
on March 1st, 2013 at 11:40 am
Not surprised at all that this guy is from Ohio. Lots of racist groups, especially in and around Columbus. Ohio is a sort of ground zero for these types.
on March 3rd, 2013 at 12:14 am
Anyone that still believes we don’t need a ban on assault weapons and large capacity clips…must be ‘brain-dead’. It’s about time that we have intensive background checks, and more monitoring at gun shows.However, there’s a possibility they are extremely insecure, plus have absolutely no regard for anyone but themselves.
Obviously…they are fearful. You can see this in their faces, as their anger rises. Just as a child will put on an angry “front” as to not allow their FEAR to show…these assault weapon people are the same!
on March 4th, 2013 at 6:52 am
This is creepy. Racist, anti-Semitic and bone-chillingly creepy.
on March 4th, 2013 at 2:23 pm
What changed your skin to reddish black, Mr. Waller, sounds like a serious UV burn and consequent permanent damage. You had better see a dermatologist right away.
on March 4th, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Someone above said:
I am “tracking” Darrell Lamont Jenkin’s Body Mass Index (BMI). He weighs about 600 pounds and has a really big belly. In Europe you never see such really fat people on the street. Only in America.
Well it’s happening in Europe as well now. I can’t believe the crap that is being sold here on the shelves as food. If you notice the big chip bags filled with air you will also notice that people are starting to look just like the bags! :)
And I read reports that the Chinese are starting to have serious problems with obesity with the easier access to Mc Donalds it appears that Mc Donalds has managed to spread cellulite worldwide! But I digress back to the serious issue of Neo Nazis and weapons.
Keep them away from weapons! Send them lifetime gifts of free food to McDonalds and if we’re lucky they will just explode!