Two members of a northern Idaho white-supremacist group were ordered to remain in custody after FBI agents testified that an informant who infiltrated the Aryan Nations helped record details of a plot to bomb buildings frequented by gays and minorities in the Seattle area.
U.S. Magistrate Mikel Williams heard more than 21/2 hours of testimony Tuesday before continuing an order that Robert J. Winslow, 29, of LaClede, and Steven E. Nelson, 34, of Hayden Lake, be held without bail.The order initially was issued by U.S. Magistrate Stephen Ayers in Seattle before the pair were transferred to Idaho. Williams said he was continuing it primarily to ensure public safety, citing the violent nature of the crimes with which they are charged and not because of any specific risk they would try to escape.
Winslow and Nelson were arrested May 12 in Seattle and indicted by a federal grand jury in Boise six days later on one count each of conspiracy to bomb; knowingly making, receiving or possessing pipe bombs; and carrying firearms in relation to a violent crime.
A third man, Procter J. Baker, 57, of Coeur d'Alene, was charged in the same indictment with one count of conspiracy to bomb and one count of knowingly making, receiving or possessing pipe bombs.
Trial for all three is scheduled to begin June 25 in Boise. Procter was arrested May 12 at Coeur d'Alene and remained in custody there Tuesday.
Nelson lives on the Aryan Nations compound at Hayden Lake, where he works as an aide to the Rev. Richard Butler, 72, founder and leader of the Church of Jesus Christ Christian and its political arm, the Aryan Nations. Winslow, who recently was discharged from the Army, if released would have returned to Missouri to live with his father until trial, said his attorney, Lance Churchill of Boise.
The government alleges the three were part of an unsuccessful conspiracy to bomb a gay nightclub, a synagogue and several bars patronized by blacks in Seattle, as well as Korean businesses in Tacoma, Wash.