Salem County Man Lied About White Supremacist Ties: Feds

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A South Jersey man who is an "avowed white supremacist" has been charged by indictment with making false statements to government agents, according to federal authorities.

Fred Arena, 41 of Salem, was arrested Friday morning for lying to obtain a security clearance as an employee at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, United States Attorney William M. McSwain said.

Additionally, he is accused of lying to federal investigators who asked him about his answers to questions on the security clearance paperwork.

Arena faces a maximum possible sentence of 25 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1.25 million fine.

Arena completed the standard Form SF-86 to obtain a security clearance for his employment on Jan. 10, according to the indictment.

On that form, he was required to disclose whether he had ever been a member of an organization that used, or advocated for the use of, force or violence to prevent others from exercising their constitutional rights. He falsely answered that he had not, according to the indictment.

Arena was an avowed member of Vanguard America, a white supremacist group that fits that description, authorities allege.

On the same application, Arena was asked whether he had property repossessed within the past 7 years and falsely answered that he had not, the indictment alleges.

Authorities said Arena previously defaulted on a car loan, and his car was repossessed within the 7-year window.

Story by Max Bennett, Patch Staff