ATLANTA, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- A bond hearing for four Georgia men accused of plotting to use bombs and a toxin on federal buildings and U.S. cities is set for next week, a magistrate said.
Federal authorities said Frederick Thomas, 73, of Cleveland, Ga.; and Dan Roberts, 67; Ray H. Adams, 65; and Samuel J. Crump, 68, all of Toccoa, were charged Tuesday with trying to buy explosives and make the deadly toxin ricin to use in the attacks.
All four requested and were granted court-appointed attorneys who will represent them a probable cause hearing Wednesday, when bond will be considered, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Neighbors and friends were stunned by the news, the Journal said Wednesday.
"If you had told me these men did these things before I heard about the investigation from the FBI, I would have told you you're a liar," said Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, who said he has known Roberts, Adams and Crump for more than 30 years. "It just does not add up."
Federal officials said Thomas, Roberts, Adams and others attended meetings during which they discussed targeting various government officials. The meetings were monitored by the FBI and secretly taped by a confidential informant, sworn affidavits unsealed Tuesday indicated.
Mark Pitcavage, who tracks right-wing extremist movements for the Anti-Defamation League, said Roberts was involved in militia-type activities for at least 10 years. He told the Journal-Constitution he did not recognize the names of the other men, but he was struck by all their ages, which are older than the "typical" militia participant.
"[These] four people are on the opposite end of the spectrum," he said.
