Suspected Youth Gang Chief Pleads Innocent : Police Crack Down on Neo-Nazi Group

The suspected leader of a neo-Nazi youth gang pleaded not guilty Monday to one count of attempted residential burglary and three counts of using unlawful, violent acts to effect political change.

At the same time, police announced that four 17-year-old boys, also members of the gang known as the Reich Skins, have been arrested in Chatsworth since Friday as part of an investigation into factions of a group known as the “Skinheads,” said Los Angeles Police Lt. Warren Knowles.

Two of the youths were arrested on suspicion of painting “hate” graffiti, one on a battery charge and one on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon, Knowles said.

Members of the Reich Skins and other gangs usually have shaved or nearly shaved heads, Knowles said.

Michael Casey Martin, 18, who police say is the leader of the Reich Skins, entered his plea in San Fernando Municipal Court. He was charged with attempting on Oct. 7 to break into a Granada Hills home occupied by a Latino high school student, the student’s 14-year-old sister and his mother.

The criminal complaint against Martin alleges that he and a juvenile companion carried a gun and yelled “White power,” “Down with blacks” and “Down with Mexicans” during the attempted break-in.

Martin and the male juvenile reportedly fled after the occupants of the house called police. Martin was arrested Oct. 23 after an investigation led police to an undisclosed location. Deputy Public Defender Myron L. Jenkins said the juvenile is still being sought.

The preliminary hearing for Martin, who is being held in County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail, is scheduled Nov. 5.