Three charged over plot to bomb Kansas Somali community

US federal prosecutors on Friday announced domestic terrorism charges against three militia members who were plotting bomb attacks against Somali immigrants in the town of Garden City, Kansas.

The three men, members of a group calling themselves “The Crusaders,” planned to detonate explosives outside an apartment complex in Garden City housing 120 residents, said acting US Attorney Tom Beall.

Curtis Allen, 49, Gavin Wright, 49, and Patrick Eugene Stein, 47, planned to carry out their attack the day after the elections, so as not to influence the outcome, and had targeted the building because a unit was being used as mosque by the Somali community.

The men were arrested Friday after an eight-month FBI investigation, during which time the men conducted surveillance, stockpiled weapons and ammunition, and canvassed the area for a target, before settling on the apartment complex.

“They had the desire, the means, and the capabilities and were committed to carrying out this act of domestic terrorism,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric K. Jackson, during a Friday press conference.

Officials said the men were linked with other militias which espouse anti-government, anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim sentiments.

Jackson said there were no other known threats in the area, but FBI agents are continuing to investigate the men’s ties to other groups.