WICHITA, Kan. – The Latest on the arrest of three men accused of plotting to attack Somali immigrants in Kansas (all times local):
11:05 a.m.
Three men accused of plotting to attack Somali immigrants in western Kansas have appeared in court and been appointed lawyers.
Magistrate Judge Gwynne Birzer on Monday ordered Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein and Gavin Wayne Wright to remain in custody after federal prosecutor Anthony Mattivi said they pose a danger to the community. Birzer scheduled detention hearings for Stein and Wright for Friday and for Allen next Monday.
Prosecutors allege that the men are members of a small militia group calling itself "the Crusaders," whose members espouse sovereign citizen, anti-government, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant extremist beliefs. They allege the men planned to detonate truck bombs around a small Garden City apartment complex where about 120 Somalis live and that they had discussed attacking area churches that helped settle the refugees and get them jobs.
The trio is charged in a criminal complaint that was unsealed Friday with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction. Their attorneys declined to comment after the brief hearing in Wichita.
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7:15 a.m.
Three men accused of plotting to target Somali immigrants in a diverse western Kansas community remain in custody for now following their first federal court appearances.
Federal prosecutor Anthony Mattivi told a magistrate judge that the three men pose a danger to the community.
Curtis Wayne Allen, Patrick Eugene Stein and Gavin Wayne Wright are charged in a complaint unsealed Friday with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction.
Defense attorneys declined comment.
Magistrate Judge Gwynne Birzer scheduled detention hearings for Stein and Wright on Friday. Allen's detention hearing is next Monday.
A preliminary hearing was set for Oct. 28, although lawyers told the court they anticipate that hearing will not be needed because a grand jury will likely hand down an indictment before then.
The complaint says the men are members of a small militia group calling itself "the Crusaders," and that its members espouse sovereign citizen, anti-government, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant extremist beliefs.
Prosecutors allege the men planned to detonate truck bombs around a small Garden City apartment complex where about 120 Somali residents live. Authorities say the men talked of attacking area churches that helped settle refugees and get them jobs.
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