SEATTLE (AP) — A significant cache of weaponry and Nazi paraphernalia was uncovered during a recent raid of a residence in Lacey, Washington, as law enforcement responded to serious allegations involving the theft of military-grade weapons. The operation, launched on Monday under the direction of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and FBI, led to the arrest of two individuals on firearms-related charges.
Derek Sanders, the sheriff of Thurston County, detailed the incident in a Facebook post, revealing that the FBI's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team executed the search warrant at the location as part of a broader investigation tied to a violent robbery and theft of military weaponry and armor. The raid comes in the wake of an assault on Sunday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, situated just north of the state capital, Olympia.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle has confirmed the connection between the search warrant execution and the ongoing investigation conducted by both Army CID and the FBI regarding the aforementioned assault at the military base. In the aftermath of the search, authorities indicated that two suspects had been apprehended and were being processed at the Thurston County Jail.
In his post, Sheriff Sanders noted that the suspects were reportedly involved in organized Nazi White Nationalist activities. This alarming association has drawn increased attention from law enforcement as they delve deeper into the implications of the weapons cache uncovered during the raid.
The FBI responded to inquiries about the operation by stating that they were "assisting our partners at the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and Army Criminal Investigation Division," but referred all further questions to those local authorities. As the investigation unfolds, additional information is anticipated to be included in a federal criminal complaint, which is expected to be unsealed on Wednesday.
During the raid, authorities recovered an extensive array of weaponry, totaling 35 firearms, which included short barrel rifles and an MG42 machine gun — a weapon historically utilized by German forces during World War II. Additionally, officials confiscated grenade launchers, explosives, body armor, ballistic helmets, ammunition, and several rifles that were strategically staged at windows throughout the home.
Photos released by law enforcement depict the disturbing scene: an organized display of firearms and military equipment situated alongside various items of Nazi memorabilia, including a red flag emblazoned with a black swastika. Such findings raise significant concerns about the potential for violence and extremist ideologies within the community.
As preparations continue for the suspects' initial court appearances at U.S. District Court in Tacoma, public interest in the case remains high. The sheer volume of lethal equipment discovered highlights substantial risks not only to law enforcement but to the community at large. The involvement of military-grade armaments and extremist affiliations intensifies the urgency of the investigation, as authorities strive to avert any potential threats posed by such groups.
