An Oregon transgender woman who is said to have attended Neo-Nazi gatherings was taken into custody after an FBI investigation revealed a history of online threats against blacks, Jews, and transphobic individuals.
Elizabeth West, a 56-year-old biological male who identifies as female, came to the attention of the FBI after an anonymous tip in September 2023 that led authorities to discover an apparent mass shooting threat made by West toward co-workers, according to an affidavit filed in support of the complaint against West.
In the threat, which was posted to Facebook, West wrote of being tired of being bullied by “trans phobic a*******]” and an intention to “go out in a blaze of glory.”
“I’ve been preparing for this moment a long time at least then I’ll be remember I have no family no friends,” the threat, which included an image of two firearms, read, according to the affidavit. “So there really isn’t any point living anymore? I’m just gonna have to do what I have to do and pray for the gods to forgive me.”
FBI officials worked with an informant who made them aware of West’s prior criminal history and affiliation with Neo-Nazi groups in Washington, which included attending rallies with an ex-boyfriend.
During an interview with FBI special agents, West told them of troubled relationships, past thoughts about suicide, and a fervent desire to receive sexual reassignment surgery, the affidavit read.
“West offered that she has a primary care physician who was assisting her with the process of pursuing gender reassignment surgery and recently received notice that she had been approved for an initial consultation for gender reassignment surgery,” according to court documents. “West was very excited and had been working toward this for some time.”
West also confessed to a “personal prejudice” against blacks as well as an apparent disdain for Jewish people and immigrants.
After another attempt to interview West failed, FBI officials were made aware of additional posts made by West on X of memes, videos, and statements supporting Hitler, espousing hatred, and displaying weapons, the affidavit stated.
These included a live-streamed video of the Christchurch Mosque shooting in New Zealand.
“A Nazi dominatrix from Hell, who is tired of the blackening of America and Europe and ready to stand up to the Black orcs and the Jewish Wizards,” West’s bio purportedly read.
More posts of firearms and “violent rhetoric” went up on the account, and on Dec. 29, the FBI was alerted to a “long gun” application under West’s name.
Efforts to contact and interview West were bolstered, and on Jan. 3, West informed an agent that “she hates Jews, African Americans, and immigrants” before confessing to owning a significant number of firearms, according to the affidavit.
“On January 9, 2024, FBI agents executed a search warrant of the person, vehicle, and residence belonging to West,” court documents read.
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Upon searching West’s residence the same day, agents seized approximately 11
handguns and 16 rifles, tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, firearm accessories, a black book that matched the description of West’s “black shadow” journal, 48 drawings, and a black and white composition notebook containing notes made by West.
West was charged on Jan. 12 with interstate threatening communications and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Oregon.
