Alleged violent extremists arrested in Seattle area, three other states

The FBI made four arrests Wednesday of suspected violent extremists, charged in the U.S. District Court in Seattle as part of “a conspiracy to threaten and intimidate journalists and activists.”

The defendants include Cameron Brandon Shea of Redmond, Wash., Kaleb Cole in Texas, Taylor Ashley Parker-Dipeppe in Florida, and Johnny Roman Garza in Arizona.

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The charges are against members of the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi terrorist network.

According to the criminal complaint, the group conspired online to identify who they wanted to intimidate. They created posters with Nazi symbols, masked figures, and threatening language. The posters were sent to activists and journalists, including KING 5 Investigator Chris Ingalls in Seattle.

“These defendants from across the country allegedly conspired on the internet to intimidate journalists and activists with whom they disagreed,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “This is now how America works. The Department of Justice will not tolerate this type of behavior.”

The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office held a news conference on Wednesday morning.

“Today’s announcement serves as a warning to anyone who intends to use violence as intimidation or coercion to further their ideology that the FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to protect Americans from domestic terrorism,” said Assistant Director for Counterterrorism Jill Sanborn. “These nationwide arrests are the result of the robust partnerships among the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces in Tampa, Seattle, Houston, and Phoenix, and with the Seattle Police Department.”

This is an ongoing investigation.