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Department of Justice
Richard Schmidt
Federal agents are trying to determine how a suspected Ohio white supremacist with a felony conviction for manslaughter acquired a cache of 18 assault weapons and other firearms, along with high-capacity magazines and more than 40,000 rounds of ammunition, according to federal law enforcement officials and court documents reviewed by NBC News.
The storehouse of weapons was discovered late last month when FBI agents arrested Richard Schmidt, 47, the owner of a Bowling Green sporting goods store called Spindletop Sports Zone, on charges of marketing counterfeit goods -- such as football jerseys with NFL logos -- from China.
Although initially portrayed as a probe into the thriving international market for counterfeit clothing, the case took a surprising turn this week when the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland unsealed search warrants and an indictment also charging Schmidt with illegal possession of firearms.
According to the documents, FBI agents who searched Schmidt’s sporting goods store and four trailers behind it, found a stash of weapons that included AR-15 assault rifles, Ruger and Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistols, bulletproof body armor and high-capacity magazines as well as ammunition.
The agents also discovered evidence of Schmidt’s ties to the neo-Nazi movement, documents show. Among the evidence seized, according to search warrants, was a video of a national convention of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement; bumper stickers of the National Alliance party, another neo-Nazi group; a “Jewish 500” list -- a supposed roster of Jewish-owned businesses -- and paraphernalia from the “Waffen SS,” Adolph Hitler’s Nazi military force in Germany from the early 1930s through World War II, according to the search warrants.
A federal law enforcement official, who spoke with NBC News on condition of anonymity, said that FBI counterterrorism agents involved in the case had picked up evidence that Schmidt may have been planning attacks against Jewish and civil rights groups in the Detroit area. “This is an active investigation,” said another federal law enforcement official when asked if Schmidt was believed to have been working with any others in the neo-Nazi movement.
In the indictment unsealed this week, Schmidt was charged with three counts of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and body armor and one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods.
Schmidt’s lawyer, federal public defender Andy Hart, did not respond to a request for comment.
The law enforcement officials said the case appears to illustrate some of the gaps in current background checks for gun purchasers that President Barack Obama has proposed closing as part of his package of executive actions and legislative proposals released this week aimed at curbing gun violence. Schmidt was charged with murder and felonious assault in 1989 after killing a Hispanic man and shooting two others with a semi-automatic pistol during a traffic dispute. He later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison. Federal officials were not immediately able to provide information on when he was released from prison.
Despite a federal law that prohibits convicted felons from buying firearms, Schmidt was still able to acquire his stockpile – though authorities don’t yet know how he acquired them. Federal agents have been trying for weeks to trace the weapons, but officials said they have so far made little progress. This could indicate that Schmidt purchased his weapons from private dealers or gun shows, where background checks are currently not required, one official said. But he also could have obtained them on the black market.
“It is deeply troubling that law enforcement found this man, with a prior homicide conviction, in possession of an arsenal,” said Steven M. Dettelbach, the U.S. attorney for Cleveland.
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Mark Potok, who tracks hate groups for the Southern Poverty Law Center, said the group had found an entry that appeared to be from Schmidt on a neo-Nazi website several years ago, using the Yahoo profile of “Vinlander 101” and declaring his plans to set up a “historical preservation” group. (One of the trailers behind Schmidt’s sporting goods store was registered to the “Vinland Preservation League” -- a now defunct nonprofit.) He noted that the use of the word “Vinland” was likely inspired by the “Vinland Social Club,” a now largely dormant neo-Nazi skinhead group that emphasized the early Vikings role in colonizing the American continent.
“The sad reality is there are people around this country who are building up enormous arsenals of weapons because they think the end is coming -- either a race war, or the new world order … or some other form of apocalypse,” he said.
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So the no longer relevant FBI raids a place suspected of dealing in counterfeit goods, and finds a windfall. I'm glad to see my tax dollars taking care of the important stuff.
Justoneguy. How do you figure that?
"A federal law enforcement official, who spoke with NBC News on condition of anonymity, said that FBI counterterrorism agents involved in the case had picked up evidence that Schmidt may have been planning attacks against Jewish and civil rights groups in the Detroit area."
NBC News is an absolute joke...'on condition of anonymity, said that FBI counterterrorism agents' so all the witnesses are undisclosed by NBC which makes NBC a gossip monger...and agents with an (s) don't even exists for anyone wanting to verify the NBC News report...
And then to top off this ridiculous farce of journalism the anonymous sources said they had "evidence" that Schmidt "may have been" planning attacks...what a train load of horse sh*t NBC News passes off as journalism...well I have "evidence" that NBC News "may have been" planning to be a news organization...
NBC, Fox, CNN it doesnt matter, its all the same people being dictated to on what to say or the money gets cut off from their banking buddies. People need to acknowledge that a great percentage of the people wanting guns believe our own government is heading towards tyranny and we are going to need weapons to fight with. Is it really going there?
Schmidt has to scoop up on his notoriety and fame and get the NRA to make him their poster child for everything that is good and righteous about the NRA. Times money, go for it Richard!!
Why of course he was discovered when he dutifully filled out Form 4473 at his local FFL during a lawful purchase of the firearms and admitted on the form that he was a convicted felon. How else?
More than likely he simply purchased the guns from a dealer who sold them to him out the backdoor. Not uncommon. How do you think drug catels get guns at Wal-Mart? With 300 million guns in the U.S. I doubt that passing another law will do much. Restricting the sale of semi automatic rifles will help a tad but most murders are committed with a hand gun. 70% of murders in the U.S. are committed with a gun. As to the nitwit about murders being down, that is really smart. The murder rate in the U.S. varies from 5 - 10 per 100,000 and has for 150 years. Right now it is down because the crack war is over. However, the meth war is heating up. Lots of profit in Meth and you do not have to import it from South America. You can make it here in the U.S. As comparison, almost all of Western European country's murder rates are 1 or less per 100 thou. Japan is .3. Very strict gun laws that restrict the number of guns out to the public is the norm. Switzerland has less strict gun laws but they are much stricter than the U.S. The U.S. murder rate for 150 years has always been 5 - 10 times that of Europe. There is no practical way to keep criminals and nutcases in the U.S. from getting a hold of a gun as long as they have 300 million as a resource.
"More than likely he simply purchased the guns from a dealer who sold them to him out the backdoor. Not uncommon. How do you think drug catels get guns at Wal-Mart?"
Pray tell us, HOW?
"As comparison, almost all of Western European country's murder rates are 1 or less per 100 thou. Japan is .3. Very strict gun laws that restrict the number of guns out to the public is the norm."
Most of the country`s you`re using as an example do not have the same socio-economic factors the USA has care of the liberal mindset. They were also nearly all subjucated or liberated by the US during WW2. Read your history, it`s illuminating...the main difference being we still have a Constitutional Republic and they have various socialist schemes calling themselves "liberal" governments whilts confiscating 60-75% of personal incomes while fostering socialised everything on their subjects...
There`s always that lifestyle and mindset if you desire, just not here in a majority...yet.
I agree completely with your last sentence. It should be self evident that more guns will not make our society safer. Unfortunately, it isn't.
Personally, I think guns should be so difficult to obtain and so well regulated that it is damn near impossible for criminals/nuts to get one.
Hey...well regulated...maybe that's what the 2nd amendment is REALLY saying!
If the ATFE is that incompetent we are in for the ride of our lives. Federal law requires these weapons to be traced the minute they have a serial number put on them from the manufacture. The Feds. are lying, why? Either to promote POTUS agenda or they're still trying to capture the main criminal behind this.
What was the original charges??? Is this another God Damn plea bargain!!! He obviously was a White Supremacist back than. Why only 10 -25? He tried to kill three people!!! He may of only succeeded at one but he tried to shoot them all. Should of been 10-25 for attempted and 50 for "voluntary", whatever the hell that means in a violent use of a firearm! This wasn't a drunk driving case.
How the Hell did this Ahole get the money to open anything? He should of been required to pay his victims, their families and the US taxpayers back for all the damage and cost incurred from his attempted and successful murders.
Once again the Justice system has failed us. Yet the MSM and POTUS give them a pass.
I would think that the NRA and gun owners would support the idea of background checks and closure of loopholes as well as extremely stiff penalties for gun crimes. It's the bad apples that are giving all responsible gun owners a bad reputation. I'm a gun owner and I support the loophole closure and the background checks. If your clean, what is the problem with a background check? Here in Tenn. it is harder to buy beer than a gun...and that is a scary thought. Just last week I saw some of our "good ole boys" going hunting....7 cases of beer and 400 rounds of 12 ga. shells. Glad I wasn't in the woods that day.
This is ALL Lies made up to push for MORE Gun Laws....
It stated they hit his shop on charges of marketing counterfeit goods.... So then they find guns, then all of a sudden on condition of anonymity, said that FBI counter-terrorism agents involved in the case had picked up evidence that Schmidt may have been planning attacks against Jewish and civil rights groups in the Detroit area....
Come on now, all BS from Gov to Pass more Gun Laws....
Maybe he got them through Fast and Furious
So if the authorities don’t yet know how he acquired his weapons how can they say the case appears to illustrate some of the gaps in current background checks?
Dear Vets Daughter - Your Daddy must be really proud of just how stupid you are with your comments! I hope you never have to be home when an armed intruder breaks in and all you have is a butter knife while waiting for the Cops who are only minutes away when SECONDS COUNT! All the police do in these mass murders is clean up the mess - NOT ONCE have they stopped the perp before he either ran out of bullets or shot himself or surrendered! EVERY ONE OF THESE MASS MURDERS TOOK PLACE IN GUN FREE ZONES! Gun Free for everyone except the Perp! Why do you think they all go to such places to do their dirty deeds? Because people are DEFENSELESS!
LOL!!
Tell us again your plans to get criminals to obey the law...
Maybe they just found the rest of the Fast and furious stockpile obama issued to the drug catrels
Well how about that? Law enforcement final found a criminal who has guns! WOW! More of this needs to happen.....forget new and tougher restrictions.....law abiding citizens will always obey the law.....spend more time finding those that have illegal weapons and are breaking the law.
The guy in the article's guns were discovered AFTER he was arrested for selling "counterfeit goods -- such as football jerseys with NFL logos." The government isn't really interested in stopping criminals from getting guns, but IS interested in protecting the product royalties of NFL teams.
@ Know....true, lol but he is going back to jail for it convicted felons can not own guns and yeah i agree the Feds literally fumbled into being able to get him on it
Mentally ill people are paranoid. Such as the terrorist obama who needs hired guns to protect himself and his family for the rest of his life. I find it repugnant and cowardly that he doesn't have the balls to protect his family himself.
Troll
WES, your post is so imbecilic it really does not warrant a response. However, just for fun, please list for us all the Presidents from the last century or so that have not received Secret Service protecton. You want the leader of the Free World to be packing, is that it?
You are living proof of what years of glue sniffing can do to the human mind.
Given that 40% of gun purchases come from private sales without background checks, what exactly is the mystery here? The NRA has been quite successful in fighting to keep this loophole, despite a majority of its own members wishing to eliminate it. As it stands, it's not particularly difficult for any criminal to acquire weapons this way.
Other than your ass, just where do you pull the 40% number from?
@ Stonepipe......hahahaha look at mister 40%'s name again! his statement is BS
That number comes from the president of the USA. Perhaps you can get someone to read his speech to you?
Wait.. there is more
Maybe these are all the guns that the government let walk, from Fast and Furious. Now they know where they ended up.
again, crazy people will always find a way to do crazy things...don't punish the rest of us.
War on poverty...lost
War on alcohol...lost
War on drugs...lost
War on guns...laughable
Locked doors are made to keep honest people out. Words on paper won't stop crime at any level.
T Diddy,
Are you suggesting that we just dispense with all laws?
After all, even though we have laws in place, there is still crime.
The current laws don't need changing. It is the punishment that needs a second look. Gun violence might take a nose dive if violent criminals using guns were put to death expeditiously, without regard to legal sanity (or lack thereof).
This guy who has harmed no one will likely get locked up in prison for breaking laws that are actually illegal as close to 900,000 murderers, rapists, child molesters, bank robbers, drug dealers, and thieves are out on our streets due to early release through the parole system as many of their victims try to cope with the injustice and whose lives are destroyed.
this guy sounds like someone the NRA would be proud of...the NRA should use him a their Poster Boy for ads for the NRA and why we all should own guns...he is a American should to the NRA he should own all the guns he wants...doesn't matter to the NRA if he had been in prison...the NRA are all for the HATE GROUPS and GANGS in this country owning guns...it's their right to own them...
c'mon Michael, that is a bit of a reach.
No where in the article does it state that he is an NRA member or supporter. I couldn't find any evidence of affiliation online either.
The rifles were not illegal. It does not state whether or not the magazines are actually illegal where he is at either, it only states "high capacity". That may be 30, or ten round clips which may be legal where he is at. The ammo is a lot, but lots of people have way more than they are legally allowed to own as people stocked up before the price of the brass shot up.
We are entitled to bear arms and to form a militia according to the constitution. As far as I can tell so far, the government has once again overstepped its bounds in making laws like this, and there is no victim to this "crime". Being a white supremacist is not illegal, nor should it be. We live in a country where as long as we don't infringe on anyone elses rights, threaten to harm others, and have not damaged or stolen property, we should be allowed to think and do as we please, even if it is praying to a pair of soiled shorts stuck on the wall.
I believe the ones out of line here are the feds once again. Guilty until proven innocent seems to be the new norm here. Maybe Jeremiah Wright was right about one thing.
@ Sick.....the feds are not wrong.....the guy is a convicted felon! he shot and killed someone! Felons are not entitled to own a gun .....So the crime is not if anything like the gun or the clip is illegal, in this case it is even easier...HE IS A CONVICTED FELON
@ SICk..
Wait a minute here.. if I understood your argument.. so CONVICTED felons can have guns..just as long as the felons aren't caught with weapons they aren't suppose to have under law..
See it illogical thinking sprewed... the reason this nation has as much gun violence than any other free western nation..
Almost 75% of gun crimes are committed by former felons. This guy murdered a person and shot two others... if he had served his full 25 year sentence he would still be in jail. The average convicted murderer in this country spends less than 4 years in jail.
If we REALLY wanted to affect the gun stats, we need to stop have such bleeding hearts for hard criminals. Banning assault weapons saves a few dozen a year at MOST.