Neo-Nazi Probe Followed by 23 Indictments

A federal grand jury has indicted 23 people on racketeering charges after an investigation into a neo-Nazi group linked to the killing of a Jewish radio host in Denver and armored truck holdups that netted more than $4 million, prosecutors said today.

The indictments were announced by Assistant U.S. Atty. David (Gene) Wilson, who directed the investigation.

Almost all those named in the indictments were among 24 members and close associates of “The Order” who were arrested in 13 states after a Philadelphia man was persuaded to turn informant. The indictments followed nine months of work by hundreds of FBI agents.

Some of those arrested in the last six months reportedly have been cooperating with authorities.

The Order, also known as White American Bastion and Bruder Schweigen, German for “silent brotherhood,” apparently was formed late in 1983 or early last year as a militant offshoot of the Church of Jesus Christ Christian (Aryan Nations), led by the Rev. Richard G. Butler at Hayden Lake, Ida.

Several of those in custody are past or present Aryan Nations members, and some held high posts in the organization, Butler has acknowledged.

The founder of The Order, Robert J. Mathews, 31, of Metaline Falls, died Dec. 8 when FBI illumination flares ignited a fire that destroyed his waterfront hide-out after a 35-hour standoff on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle.

His reputed successor, Bruce Carroll Pierce, 30, was arrested March 26 in Rossville, Ga.

Charges against those now in custody include armed robbery, counterfeiting, harboring fugitives, receiving stolen property, firearms violations and illegal use of false identification.

FBI agents have seized thousands of dollars in cash and major stores of weapons, ammunition, explosives, disguises and false identification papers.