WRIC – CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Today, a federal grand jury is expected to take up the case of two of three suspects charged with plotting to start a race war in the Richmond area.
According to federal court documents, Robert Doyle and Ronald Beasley Chaney III talked about planning attacks on Jewish synagogues and Black churches.
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Doyle, 34, and Chaney, 33, are charged with conspiracy to possess firearms after being convicted of felonies, according to an FBI affidavit.
The 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. Court testimony from an FBI agent revealed 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 a 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 November 8. 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 accused of plotting to rob a jeweler and use the money to help Doyle buy land and stockpile weapons for "an impending race war," an affidavit says. He is charged with a robbery conspiracy.
Stay with 8News for the latest updates to this developing story.