Philly Navy Yard Worker Lied About White Supremacist Ties: Feds

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia Navy Yard employee who is an "avowed white supremacist" has been charged by indictment with making false statements to government agents, according to federal authorities.

United States Attorney William M. McSwain said Fred Arena, 41, of Salem, New Jersey was arrested this morning.

Arena, who is an employee at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and as such is required to obtain a security clearance, lied to obtain the clearance, according to the indictment. Additionally, he is accused of lying to federal investigators who asked him about his answers to questions on the security clearance paperwork.

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

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

On that form, he was required to disclose whether he had ever been a member of an organization that used, or advocated 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.

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

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.