Tuesday, August 04, 2009

McDonald County white supremacist pleads not guilty

McDonald County white supremacist Robert Joos, 56, pleaded not guilty to a firearms charge today in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

Joos is being held without bond on a charge of being a felon illegally possessing a firearm.

In a July 8 ruling, Judge James England wrote, "While the defendant does have ties to the McDonald County area, he has, in the past, had a reputation for carrying concealed weapons and resisting arrest. The court finds there is clear and convincing evidence that there are no conditions that the Court can impose which would reasonably assure the defendant's appearance at all scheduled hearings and the safety of other persons or the community."

Joos was arrested in connection with a federal investigation of a racially-motivated 2004 bombing in Scottsdale, Ariz. National white supremacist leader Dennis Mahon and his brother Daniel were charged with that crime.

ATF agents executing a search warrant on Joos' property June 24 found bomb-making materials, according to documents filed in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

The search uncovered "more than a dozen miscellaneous firearms," as well as "materials for constructing improved explosive devices, including blasting caps, gunpowder, and fuses."

In addition, the documents indicate, Joos provided undercover ATF agents with information on how to build a bomb.

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