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The FBI and federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that a 21-year-old Sarasota man has been charged in connection with an alleged plot to carry out a racially motivated mass shooting. Authorities arrested Joshua Keene after investigators discovered a cache of weapons and disturbing propaganda related to mass shootings and Nazi ideology in his possession.
According to court documents, the investigation began when law enforcement received tips about concerning online activity linked to Keene. A search of his residence uncovered multiple firearms, including modified weapons, along with ammunition and tactical gear that prosecutors believe were being assembled for an attack.
“This case represents exactly the kind of threat that keeps law enforcement up at night,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Thompson at a press conference in Tampa. “The suspect had moved beyond mere rhetoric and taken concrete steps toward planning violence against innocent civilians based on their race.”
The criminal complaint details how Keene had allegedly been radicalizing himself through online forums dedicated to white supremacist ideology. Investigators found journals and digital files containing detailed admiration for previous mass shooters and Nazi figures. The materials included tactical planning documents that specified potential targets, which authorities described as locations typically frequented by racial minorities.
Federal prosecutors have charged Keene with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist act and unlawful possession of firearms with intent to commit a hate crime. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in federal prison.
“We believe we interrupted this plot in its advanced planning stages,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Martinez for the Middle District of Florida. “The evidence suggests the defendant was not merely fantasizing but was actively preparing to carry out an attack designed to cause maximum casualties among specific racial groups.”
The arrest comes amid growing national concern about domestic terrorism motivated by racial hatred. According to recent FBI statistics, investigations into racially motivated violent extremism have nearly tripled over the past three years, with white supremacist ideology being the primary driver in many cases.
Law enforcement officials noted that Keene had no previous criminal record, making him what security experts often refer to as a “clean skin” threat – individuals without prior offenses who can more easily evade detection. Authorities credited vigilant community members for reporting suspicious behavior that ultimately led to the investigation.
Local Sarasota officials expressed shock at the discovery. “This is not who we are as a community,” said Sarasota Mayor Jennifer Collins. “We’re grateful to federal authorities for their intervention, but this serves as a stark reminder that radicalization can happen anywhere, even in our peaceful community.”
Mental health professionals who specialize in extremism point to the increasing concern of online radicalization, particularly among young men. Dr. Elaine Watson, a forensic psychologist at the University of South Florida who studies extremist behavior, noted that the pandemic has exacerbated isolation and vulnerability to extremist recruitment.
“What we often see is a perfect storm of personal grievances, social isolation, and exposure to extremist content online,” Watson explained. “These factors can transform someone with no prior history of violence into someone planning atrocities.”
Federal investigators are continuing to examine Keene’s digital footprint and personal connections to determine if others were involved in or aware of his plans. They are also investigating whether he was connected to any organized extremist groups, though initial evidence suggests he was primarily a “lone wolf” who self-radicalized online.
Keene’s family, through their attorney, declined to comment on the specific allegations but released a brief statement expressing shock and stating they were cooperating fully with authorities.
The defendant remains in federal custody after a judge denied bail, citing both flight risk and danger to the community. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week. His court-appointed attorney has not yet made any public statements regarding the charges.
The case is being prosecuted by the Justice Department’s National Security Division in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
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11 Comments
While I’m relieved the authorities were able to thwart this plot, the fact that it was even being planned is deeply unsettling. We must remain vigilant against the threat of racially-motivated extremism.
Agreed. Ongoing monitoring and intelligence-gathering are crucial to identifying and disrupting these kinds of threats before they can be carried out.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the real-world dangers posed by the proliferation of extremist ideologies online. Continued vigilance and a multi-pronged approach are essential to combating this threat.
Agreed. Ongoing monitoring, intelligence-sharing, and community engagement will be key to disrupting these kinds of plots before they can be carried out.
Weapons caches and propaganda materials linked to mass shootings and Nazi ideology are deeply concerning. I’m glad the authorities were able to intervene and prevent a potentially catastrophic attack.
Agreed. Investigations into online activity and digital files are crucial in uncovering these types of threats early on.
It’s disturbing to see the level of planning and preparation that went into this alleged attack. We must continue to address the root causes that lead to such abhorrent ideologies and violence.
Absolutely. Tackling online radicalization and the spread of white supremacist propaganda should be a top priority for law enforcement and policymakers.
The details about the suspect’s alleged planning and preparation are quite chilling. It’s a stark reminder that we must continue to address the underlying ideologies that drive this kind of violence.
Absolutely. Combating the spread of white supremacist propaganda online has to be a top priority for law enforcement and policymakers.
This is a disturbing case that highlights the growing threat of online radicalization and white supremacist extremism. It’s critical that law enforcement remains vigilant in detecting and disrupting such plots before they can be carried out.