Former National Guardsman Sentenced To 5 Years In Neo-Nazi Plot

TAMPA, FL – A 22-year-old former Florida National Guardsman will be heading to prison for five years for his involvement in neo-Nazi activities that led to the murders of two of his roommates last year.

According to U.S. Attorney’s Office records, on May 19 Tampa Police were called to the Hamptons at Tampa Palms apartments where Russell, Devon Arthurs, Andrew Oneschuk and Jeremy Himmelman lived together. There, police found Oneschuk,18, and Himmelman, 22, dead from gunshot wounds.

Following his arrest and interview the same day, Arthurs, 18, told police that the four roommates regularly used neo-Nazi chat rooms where they discussed bombing buildings and killing people.

According to a Tampa Police report, Arthurs said he shot his roommates because he converted to Islam, and Oneschuk and Himmelman disrespected his faith.

A search of the apartment led police to a cooler in the garage containing explosive chemicals and bomb-making materials.

According to the Tampa Police report, Russell was on National Guard duty when the murders took place but admitted to being a member of a white supremacy group known as Atomwaffen, which is German for atomic weapons. He also told police that he had manufactured explosive devices in the garage.

Russell was charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device and unlawful storage of explosive equipment, which carry a maximum penalty of 11 years in federal prison.

Russell pled guilty to the charges in September and, at his sentencing hearing Tuesday, Jan. 9, in federal court in Tampa, Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew sentenced him to five years in federal prison and three years of supervision upon his release.

Although prosecutors were seeking the maximum penalty, Russell’s attorneys argued for leniency due to his age and lack of criminal history, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Arthurs is awaiting trial on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and three counts of armed kidnapping.

Photo via Tampa Police