Aryan Nations Leader Guilty in Robbery Plot
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PHILADELPHIA — The leader of the Aryan Nations in Pennsylvania pleaded guilty Tuesday to plotting seven Midwest bank robberies and using the cash to further the white supremacist group’s cause.
Mark Thomas had pleaded not guilty Feb. 4, after he was indicted with four other men, all members or associates of the Aryan Republican Army. But his lawyer, David Maynard, said Tuesday that Thomas decided to change his plea.
Maynard said prosecutors had not agreed to reduce Thomas’ sentence, a maximum of 25 years for conspiracy and two counts of receiving stolen money.
He declined to say whether Thomas would follow his protege, Kevin McCarthy, and help authorities. But FBI agent Paul Hendrickson Jr. said Thomas has promised to cooperate.
McCarthy has helped convict two men. Thomas and four others are accused in Pennsylvania of plotting seven of 22 Midwest bank robberies attributed to the Aryan Republican Army.
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