VA Man Charged For Ties To Neo-Nazi Group's 'Swatting' Attacks

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Federal authorities in the Eastern District of Virginia charged a Virginia man for his role in calling in false emergencies to draw response from law enforcement, also known as "swatting." Former college student John William Kirby Kelley, 19, is charged with conspiracy to make threats for his alleged actions as part of an online group with neo-Nazi sympathies.

The investigation into Kelley began when campus police at Old Dominion University in Norfolk got a swatting call in November 2018, according to an FBI affidavit. The caller claimed to be armed with an AR-15 and placed multiple pipe bombs in campus buildings. Police received another call later from an individual apologizing for making an accidental call.

Law enforcement linked Kelley to this call and the earlier threatening call. Kelley was arrested by campus police in January 2019 on drug charges, leading Old Dominion University to expel him.

Investigations found the group Kelley was allegedly part of conspired online to communicate about swatting calls, choosing high-profile targets like government officials, executives and journalists. The individuals involved "appear to share racist views, with particular disdain for African Americans and Jewish people," the affidavit stated.

The online group was linked to the Nov. 3, 2018 bomb threat against Alfred Street Baptist Church, a largely African-American church in Old Town Alexandria. The caller reportedly said he placed pipe bombs in the church, mentioned the word shooting and said he was going to kill everyone at the church. Alexandria Police evacuated the building, which was holding a church service. A sweep of the building determined the call was a false bomb threat.

On Kelley's phone, law enforcement found photos of Kelley and others wearing tactical gear and holding assault-type rifles, while other photos showed bumper stickers "glorifying school shootings, and recruiting material for Seige and Atomwafen, which are white supremacist groups."

Kelley could face up to five years in prison.