Benjamin Thomas Samuel McDowell, 29, was arrested Wednesday after purchasing a .40 caliber Glock handgun [and ammunition] from an undercover FBI agent.
According to a federal complaint, he intended to use the gun to commit a shooting "in the spirit of Dylann Roof."
Prosecutors said McDowell told the undercover agent that he hadnât decided on a place or time for the attack, that he wanted to âdo something on a f****** big scale and write on the f****** building or whatever, âIn the spirit of Dylann Roof.ââ
In another alleged conversation, McDowell said âI just be plotting it out, like, I mean you just run up there on them if they back there partying, and all, with a f****** AK and rip them sumbitches down, and throw, a damn, something at them.â
McDowell is an ex-convict, who allegedly built bonds with white supremacists while serving prison sentences for several offenses.
He had been ranting online about his desire to commit an attack, and targeted much of his hatred at Jews.