FBI Finds Homemade Guns, Explosives In Raid On 'Violent Extremist'

LOS ANGELES, CA — A San Fernando Valley man who called for the mass murder of Jews is facing a slew of federal charges after the FBI raided his home and found a trove of homemade guns, explosives and methamphetamine, the U.S. Justice Department announced Friday.

Ryan Scott Bradford, 34, of Reseda, was expected to appear in court Friday afternoon. According to prosecutors and FBI and DEA officials, Bradford posed a major threat to the community. In the years leading up to his arrest on Thursday, Bradford, a member of a white supremacist prison gang, posted online images of dozens of guns he created using a 3D printer along with Nazi propaganda, prosecutors contend. He also posted links and instruction manuals on Telegram concerning hand grenades, biological warfare, and the “Aryan Revolution,” and he offered to make firearms and firearm parts for others using 3-D printers, according to the complaint.

Investigators serving a search warrant at Bradford's home in the 7500 block of White Oak Avenue Thursday found a calendar with a new year's resolution scrawled across it announcing plans to kill Jews.

“As alleged, this convicted felon affiliated with a violent white supremacist group who espouses horrific acts of violence against Jews appears to be manufacturing firearms and possessing an improvised explosive device,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “The potential danger to the community cannot be overstated. We will continue to investigate this matter to ensure that this defendant is held accountable for his crimes, and to keep our community safe from acts of violence motivated by racist and hateful ideology.”

During the search of Bradford's house, investigators found two 3D printed auto sears and five “switches,” both of which are used to convert semi-automatic firearms into fully-automatic firearms; two 3D printers, one of which had swastikas painted on it; methamphetamine for distribution, various Nazi propaganda; and an apparent improvised explosive device along with powders and liquids for making explosives, according to court records.

According to an affidavit filed, Bradford used an Amazon account with the username “Peck Erwood” associated with the San Fernando Valley Peckerwoods, a racially motivated violent extremist group based in Los Angeles County, according to the justice department.

"The Peckerwoods originated in the California state prison system and its members have engaged in racially motivated violence, drug and illegal firearms trafficking, and fraud, according to the affidavit," prosecutors allege.

If convicted of the charges in the complaint, Bradford would face 20 years in federal prison for the drug conspiracy charge and up to 15 years in federal prison for the ammunition possession charge.

“The defendant is a self-described anti-Semite associated with a white supremacist group which espouses the hatred of Jews and other minorities,” said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Hateful rhetoric that crosses the line into violence will get the attention of law enforcement and those who engage in such extremism will be held accountable should they act upon their violent rhetoric.”