Judge Grants Bond Request For Neo-Nazi Found With Bombs and Guns, Says He Doesn't Pose a Threat

An alleged neo-Nazi facing federal bomb charges — and who law enforcement said made threats in online chatrooms to kill people and detonate bombs — was given a request for bond after a judge decided that he was not a danger to the public.

According to NBC News, 22-year-old Florida resident Brandon Russell allegedly housed ingredients to make a bomb at his apartment, where law enforcement said they uncovered white supremacist paraphernalia along with a photograph of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.

Russell's apartment was investigated on May 19, where his roommates were found dead. After talking to law enforcement about the case, Russell reportedly walked into a gun store and bought hunting rifles along with hundreds of rounds of bullets, prosecutors said.

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He faced multiple charges, including possession of unregistered destructive devices along with illegal storage of explosive supplies. However, U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas McCoun III decided to award bond for Russell on Friday.

“I am unable to conclude there is clear and convincing evidence that Defendant represents a threat to any other person and the community should he be released,” McCoun, a federal judge for the Middle District of Florida, wrote in his ruling.

Bomb-making tools were found in Russell’s Tampa apartment in May amid an investigation involving the deaths of two of his roommates, supposedly by another roommate, 18-year-old Devon Authurs.

Authurs admitted to police that he and his roommates were all neo- Nazis until he devoted himself to Islam. According to Tampa Bay Police, Authurs admitted to killing his two roommates because he believed that they “disrespected his Muslim faith.” Authurs claimed Russell took part in online neo-Nazi chat rooms “where he threatened to kill people and bomb infrastructure,” according to a criminal grievance issued against Russell.

Tampa Bay Police discovered a cooler filled with a “white cake-like substance” that technicians confirmed to be an explosive material called HMTD located in the apartment’s garage, according to the complaint. While searching through Russell’s bedroom, police also discovered white supremacist literature, a framed picture of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, multiple guns and bullets.

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After authorities asked about his possession of the bomb-making supplies, Russell allegedly said he used to be involved in an engineering club at the University of South Florida back in 2013 and that he utilized the HMTD to “boost homemade rockets” and launch balloons into the air.

"Based on my training and experience, HMTD is too energetic and volatile for these types of uses," FBI special agent Timothy Swanson said.

McCoun wrote in a report Friday that there was “no evidence” Russell intended to use the tools for a bomb. “There is no evidence of the prior use of the substances found in his garage or any clear evidence that the substance would be used,” he said.

Prosecutors said that Russell should remain in custody while he waits for a trial date, and filed a motion requesting the judge reconsider his decision to release Russell.

“Russell’s release poses both a danger to others and to the community, and no combination of conditions will reasonably assure that he will appear before this Court as directed and the safety of any other person and the community,” Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida W. Stephen Muldrow said in the motion.

Records from Pinellas County indicated that Russell is still in jail and that his hearing was scheduled for Tuesday to repeal the mandate permitting Russell’s release.