RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC/AP) — One of three men accused in a plot to shoot up or bomb synagogues and black churches has pleaded not guilty to a robbery conspiracy charge.
30-year-old Charles D. Halderman Jr. entered the plea Tuesday at his arraignment in federal court in Richmond.
Last week, the two other suspects, 34-year-old Robert Doyle and 33-year-old Ronald Beasley Chaney III, pleaded not guilty to a robbery conspiracy charge and two firearms counts during their arraignment last week.
All three suspects face a three-day jury trial starting March 21.
An indictment says that Doyle used the internet to search and find a listing for a silver and coin dealer in the Richmond area “with the intent to plan a robbery. When asked who could assist in the robbery, Doyle told a… witness that Ron Chaney and Danny Halderman were ‘good to go,’” according to federal court documents.
On or around October 13, Doyle directed that a phone call be made to the silver and coin dealer to obtain info and “set him up” for the robbery. The next day, Doyle talked to a witness about getting a “dirty pistol” for use in the robbery, the indictment says. Doyle called the silver and coin dealer on or around October 14. After the call, Doyle said, “I knew it, I knew it. He’s talking about having loose diamonds, too. I’m telling you man, that’s probably a million dollar lick bro. Literally.”
Less than 10 days later on October 25, court documents say that Doyle and Chaney met with the silver and coin dealer. There, Doyle discussed prices, purchased some silver coins and ordered about $100,000 worth of precious metals and jewels to be bought at a later date while Chaney waited outside.
On November 2, Halderman confirmed that he had discussed the robbery plans with Doyle. The next day, Halderman agreed to participate and said, “I’m firm,” court documents say.
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 synagogues, conducting acts of violence against people of the Jewish faith and doing harm to a gun store owner.
Stay with 8News for continuing coverage of this developing story.
