The leader of the Feuerkrieg Division, a white supremacist group, was arrested for conspiring to make death threats against a journalist who had reported on the extremist group. The complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Erica Dobin alleged that Nicholas Welker, the former leader of the group, posted death threats about the journalist in an online forum, which were then tweeted at the journalist by Welker’s co-conspirators. Two minors were also involved in the conspiracy. The complaint described the threat made by Welker and the nature of the group’s ideology. The FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and the press and pledged to protect these rights by any means necessary. The article highlights the FBI’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and the consequences of threatening freedom of the press.
The leader of the Feuerkrieg Division, a white supremacist group, was arrested in San Jose, California on Tuesday. Nicholas Welker, a former leader of the group, was charged with conspiracy to make death threats against a Brooklyn-based journalist, according to a complaint filed in federal court. The complaint alleged that Welker posted death threats against the journalist in an online forum, which were then tweeted at the journalist by his co-conspirators. Two minors were also involved in the conspiracy.
The complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Erica Dobin described the threat made by Welker. The threat included an image of a gun pointed at the journalist’s head with the words “Race Traitor” printed over their eyes. The vulgar caption told the journalist to “f— off” and warned them that “YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.” The journalist’s name and where they worked as a reporter were also mentioned in the threat.
The Feuerkrieg Division is classified as an “international racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist” group that encourages attacks on racial minorities, the Jewish community, the LGBTQ+ community, the US Government, journalists, and critical infrastructure, according to the complaint. Welker’s arrest is a testament to the United States Attorney’s commitment to prosecuting those who threaten freedom of the press and intimidate and instill fear in journalists and their employers.
In a statement, US Attorney Breon Peace said, “Nicholas Welker used threats of violence in an effort to stop a journalist from reporting on the white supremacist hate group that he led. He sought to quell freedom of expression and to intimidate and instill fear in a journalist and the journalist’s employer.” The complaint and Welker’s arrest prove that the United States is not afraid to prosecute those who threaten the fundamental values on which our society was founded, including freedom of the press.
The complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Erica Dobin alleges that the conspirators communicated with the journalist by tweeting or retweeting the threat at the journalist’s handle. Nicholas Welker, the former leader of the Feuerkrieg Division, was charged with conspiracy to make death threats against a journalist. FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael Driscoll emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and the press in a statement, saying, “Today’s action serves as a reminder to anyone willing to attack these rights — the FBI will do everything in our power to fulfill our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.” If convicted, Welker could face up to five years in prison.
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