Two Men Accused of Plotting Attacks on Synagogues, Churches

The FBI claims two Virginia men now in custody had plotted to attack black churches and Jewish synagogues.

Ronald Beasley Chaney III, 33, was taken into custody Sunday after he attempted to purchase two guns, silencers and explosives from an undercover FBI agent posing as an illegal arms dealer, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Richmond.

Robert C. Doyle of Chester was arrested later on Sunday. He is accused of arranging the purchases. A special agent claims in court filings that 30 rounds of ammunition were found in a back pack in the back seat of Doyle’s car during a search following his arrest.

Both men face charges of conspiracy to possess firearms after being convicted of felonies.

The two suspects are part of a white supremacist group, according to the FBI. Agents claim the men met in late September to discuss “acting out in furtherance of their extremist beliefs by shooting or bombing occupants of black churches and Jewish synagogues.”

According to the criminal complaint, the men are also accused of plotting other crimes, including robbing and killing a local jewelry dealer, robbing an armored car and harming a Virginia gun store owner.

“Doyle asserted that he wanted to use the proceeds from the illegal acts to purchase land, stockpile weapons and train for the coming race war,” according to the FBI affidavit.