Breaking: U.S. federal grand juries in Delaware and Maryland have indicted Patrik Mathews on two felony firearms charges and an obstruction of justice charge for destroying evidence. #wfp
Mathews was scheduled to return to federal court in Greenbelt, Md. Thursday for a preliminary hearing.
At the hearing (public) the judge would have ruled whether the state had enough evidence to move forward with a trial.
At the hearing (public) the judge would have ruled whether the state had enough evidence to move forward with a trial.
Instead, the state conveyed grand juries (private).
The grand juries heard the evidence against Mathews and his co-accused and pressed forward on charges. The cases can now move to trial, barring a plea deal or the charges being dropped.
The grand juries heard the evidence against Mathews and his co-accused and pressed forward on charges. The cases can now move to trial, barring a plea deal or the charges being dropped.
Mathews’ co-accused—Brian Lemley and William Bilbrough—were also indicted by the grand juries.
Mathews was one of seven members of the violent neo-Nazi paramilitary group The Base recently arrested in the U.S. following a nationwide crackdown on the organization by federal law enforcement.
Given the fact other members of The Base remain at large, it’s entirely possible the FBI continues to investigate. If so, it makes sense why the state would prefer the grand jury process to a preliminary hearing.
The press can report on the latter, but not the former.
The press can report on the latter, but not the former.
Update: I'm digging into the court documents now and it appears grand juries have laid additional charges against Mathews.
He is now facing a much stiffer prison sentence.
Mathews was originally facing two felony firearm charges. Maximum possible sentence: 20 years.
He is now facing a much stiffer prison sentence.
Mathews was originally facing two felony firearm charges. Maximum possible sentence: 20 years.
In addition to the two original charges, Mathews has been indicted on three more counts.
He's now facing five charges in total: four of them firearm/alien related, one for destroying evidence.
He's now facing five charges in total: four of them firearm/alien related, one for destroying evidence.
If convicted on all counts and given maximum, consecutive sentences, Patrik Mathwes is staring down 60 years in U.S. federal prison.
There is no parole in the U.S. federal prison system.
There is no parole in the U.S. federal prison system.
The charges and potential sentences for Mathews are:
-10 years for transporting a firearm and ammunition interstate with intent to commit a felony
-10 years for being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition
-10 years for transporting a firearm and ammunition interstate with intent to commit a felony
-10 years for being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition
-10 years for illegal possession of a firearm
-10 years for illegal possession of an unregistered firearm
-20 years for obstruction of justice
-10 years for illegal possession of an unregistered firearm
-20 years for obstruction of justice
The state is also seeking forfeiture of property if the accused are convicted.
They're seeking possession of a 2019 Chevy pickup truck that was allegedly used to transport Mathews. They're also seeking any other "vessel, vehicle, or aircraft" used to transport him.
They're seeking possession of a 2019 Chevy pickup truck that was allegedly used to transport Mathews. They're also seeking any other "vessel, vehicle, or aircraft" used to transport him.
In addition, the state is seeking all firearms and ammunition amassed by the accused.
If any of that property can't be obtained by the state due to the actions of the defendants, it will seek substitute property valued at the same amount.
If any of that property can't be obtained by the state due to the actions of the defendants, it will seek substitute property valued at the same amount.
