Suspected member of neo-Nazi hate group sentenced for gun charge

The charge stems from a November arrest in the small Texas city of Post. Bruce-Umbaugh was wearing tactical gear when law enforcement officers pulled him over. A search of his vehicle uncovered an AR-15 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, a SIG Sauer 9mm pistol, and a variety of ammunition. Also discovered was a vial of THC oil and a small canister of marijuana.

According to prosecutors, Bruce-Umbaugh “avoided eye contact and limited conversation” after he was pulled over and denied having anything illegal in the car. He later admitted that the guns and drugs were his and said he used marijuana daily.

In a November hearing, prosecutors alleged that Bruce-Umbaugh was a member of Atomwaffen Division, a Nazi group that advocates anti-Semitism, racial cleansing, and violence. Atomwaffen Division has been in the headlines on a number of occasions as various members of the hate group have been arrested.

During the November hearing, prosecutors claimed that Bruce-Umbaugh referenced “the group” in prison phone calls and also declared he was “a Nazi.” In one instance, they said he discussed a photo taken of him with another Atomwaffen Division member during a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.

A video after his arrest where he tells investigators, “I assume you’re here because of my swastika flag and my firearms,” was released to the public in February.

Part of the evidence in Bruce-Umbaugh’s case included Atomwaffen videos that showed the group’s so-called “hate camps.” The videos show members firing weapons, practicing hand-to-hand combat, and making anti-Semitic comments.

“Race war now!” a group of Nazis shout in one of the videos.

Also in the vehicle on the day of Bruce-Umbaugh’s November arrest was Kaleb Cole. Cole is alleged to be one of the leaders of Atomwaffen Division, which has been closely monitored by federal authorities. The 24-year-old Cole was arrested in February after the FBI said he and others conspired to intimidate journalists and activists.

According to court documents, Cole and another man came up with a plot called “Operation Erste Saule,” which targeted journalists for threats and harassment.

“The matter of these nosy reporters coming into our daily lives, where we work, where we live, where we go in our spare time,” Cole allegedly said to other members through the encrypted messaging app Wire. “We must simply approach them with nothing but pure aggression. We cannot let them think that they can just … that it’s safe for them to just come up to us and f— with us.”

(Ted S. Warren/AP)

Prior to his arrest, authorities in Seattle used a “red flag” gun law to seize a cache of guns from Cole in October. While not arrested at the time, officials used a state law that permits the government to respond to petitions and seize weapons of people who are deemed a risk to themselves or others.

Conor Climo, another man with alleged ties to Atomwaffen Division, was arrested last August and is awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors claim Climo plotted mass shootings in the city. In addition to ties to Atomwaffen, Climo was also linked to the Europe-based Feuerkrieg Division. The Feuerkrieg Division made headlines after authorities in Estonia said a 13-year-old there was a leader within the group, communicating with others using the pseudonym “Commander.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno said at the time of Bruce-Umbaugh’s guilty plea that the weapons that were seized in November could have been used to hurt others.

“The amount of weapons and ammunition seized from the defendant could have caused serious harm. Luckily, the FBI and our law enforcement partners successfully intervened before an act of violence could be committed,” DeSarno said. “The FBI will continue working with our partners to protect the communities we serve.”