RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Two local men accused of plotting attacks on Jewish synagogues and Black churches were denied bond in federal court Thursday at a preliminary hearing.
The judge did not offer bond for the suspects, 34-year-old Robert Doyle and 33-year-old Ronald Beasley Chaney III. The judge said that he didn’t think Doyle and Chaney were flight risks, though the magistrate said he was concerned for the safety of the community.
Both Doyle and Chaney waived their right to a preliminary hearing Thursday.
An FBI affidavit says both Doyle and Chaney tried to buy explosives, automatic weapons and a pistol with a silencer from three undercover agents before they were arrested. An FBI agent testified Thursday in court, saying that Doyle had a plan to raise money by robbing a local jewelry distributor and also had plans to commit acts of violence. The agent said Doyle wanted a silencer to shoot the jeweler in the face. He explained how he would dispose of body, the agent said in court.
Chaney asked for an M16 rifle with silencer as well as explosives, according to court testimony. Agents found several firearms in his residence.
Doyle and Chaney, accused of being white supremacists, have been in custody since Sunday. They’re charged with conspiracy to possess firearms after being convicted of felonies.
Doyle has previous charges in Chesterfield from 2002 and 2007 for distribution of marijuana as well as embezzlement charges from 2004. Chaney has charges in Henrico on his record including attempted robbery, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and two counts of malicious wounding that stem from the double shooting of an 18 and 16-year-old.
Federal court documents say that in September, the FBI learned of a planned meeting at Doyle’s home, located in the 9800 block of Candlelamp Lane, with other unknown people to discuss bombing or shooting occupants of Black churches and Jewish synagogues, conducting acts of violence against people of the Jewish faith and doing harm to a gun store owner in Oklahoma.
An associate, 30-year-old Charles D. Halderman, is charged with conspiring to rob a jeweler to and use the money to stockpile weapons for a race war. His preliminary hearing is set for Friday.
Doyle and Chaney are set to appear in front of a grand jury on December 1.
