2 ‘Viper Militia’ Members Enter Felony Guilty Pleas

Two members of the self-styled “Viper Militia,” which was originally suspected of plotting to bomb public buildings, pleaded guilty Thursday to federal felony charges.

Gary Bauer, 50, admitted to 11 conspiracy and weapons-related charges during a brief appearance before a U.S. magistrate in a Phoenix courtroom.

Randy Nelson, another Viper Militia member, pleaded guilty to four charges, including conspiracy and weapons offenses.

Bauer’s attorney, James Logan, said the decision to change his client’s original plea was a common-sense move.

“He just thought it would be in his best interests,” Logan said. “The sentencing guidelines reward people who accept responsibility for their actions.”

Logan said the plea was not part of a deal with government prosecutors to testify against other members of the Arizona-based group.

Bauer was one of 12 members rounded up in a series of raids July 1.

U.S. Atty. Janet Napolitano stressed there was no deal, saying Bauer and Nelson had exercised their right “to go into court and plead guilty without any agreement.”

Group members were initially accused by the government of plotting to blow up public and private buildings, and officials seized a videotape showing federal buildings in the Phoenix area. Videotapes also showed militia members firing weapons and setting off explosions in the Arizona desert.

But the group members were not charged with these offenses after prosecutors acknowledged at detention hearings that there was no imminent threat.

Bauer was charged with unlawful possession of unregistered machine guns, unlawful possession of other unregistered destructive devices, furnishing instruction in the use of explosive devices and conspiracy to unlawfully make and possess unregistered destructive devices.

He faces a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the 11 counts, when he is scheduled to be sentenced March 3.

The remaining Viper Militia members are expected to go on trial Jan. 27.