The U.S. Department of Justice has charged the leaders of the white supremacist group ‘Terrorgram,’ accusing them of inciting hate crimes and violent acts.
At a Glance
- US prosecutors charged two individuals with leading a racist group on Telegram to inspire violence
- Dallas Erin Humber and Matthew Robert Allison are the alleged leaders
- The group distributed extremist propaganda and materials for carrying out attacks
- The leaders face multiple federal counts, including solicitation of murder and hate crimes
DOJ Charges ‘Terrorgram’ Leaders
US prosecutors in California have charged two individuals, Dallas Erin Humber, 34, and Matthew Robert Allison, 37, with running ‘Terrorgram,’ a white supremacist group on Telegram. Accused of inciting racially and ethnically motivated violence, the duo allegedly distributed bomb-making instructions, assassination target lists, and extremist propaganda to inspire terror attacks. Their message was clear and direct, urging followers to “take action now” and “do your part” in sparking a race war.
‘Terrorgram’ members were encouraged to carry out terror attacks, including bombings and assassinations, aimed at destabilizing society and promoting a white ethno-state. Officials reported that Humber and Allison took control of the group in 2022 after a previous leader was arrested for terrorism. The group promoted white supremacist accelerationism, aiming to collapse the government and establish a segregated state through violent means.
Two leaders of a white supremacist group have been arrested on charges of seeking to spark a "race war" and attacks on Jews, immigrants and members of the LGBTQ community using an online forum known as "Terrorgram," US officials said https://t.co/ja4fkM15b7
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 9, 2024
FBI’s Intensive Investigations
The indictment highlights the disturbing actions taken by ‘Terrorgram,’ citing multiple attacks tied to the group, including a shooting in Slovakia and a stabbing in Turkey in 2022. Allegedly, the group also compiled “The List,” identifying high-value targets, including a U.S. senator, a federal judge, and other public officials. The DOJ’s charges against Humber and Allison encompass 15 federal counts, from solicitation of murder and hate crimes to conspiracy to support terrorists.
“Today’s indictment charges the defendants with leading a transnational terrorist group dedicated to attacking America’s critical infrastructure, targeting a hit list of our country’s public officials, and carrying out deadly hate crimes – all in the name of violent white supremacist ideology,” stated Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
Alongside direct hate rhetoric, the group’s materials offered instructions for executing terror attacks on critical infrastructure. They disseminated e-books and videos, including titles such as “The Hard Reset,” “White Terror,” and instructional guides detailing bomb making and assassinations.
The Justice Department on Monday charged two people in California who were alleged leaders of a white supremacist group that wanted to ignite a race war in the U.S. https://t.co/GZ1KM3Purn
— ABC News (@ABC) September 10, 2024
Government’s Strategic Response
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the comprehensive approach by the government to hold perpetrators accountable. “The defendant’s goal, the indictment charges, was to ignite a race war, accelerate the collapse of what they viewed as an irreparably corrupt government and bring about a white ethno state. As the indictment lays out, defendants used the internet platform Telegram to post messages promoting their white supremacist accelerationism.”
Arrests were made on Friday, although it remains unclear if the accused have legal representation. Telegram, the platform used by ‘Terrorgram,’ has faced scrutiny for not moderating criminal activities and reluctance to cooperate with law enforcement. Recently, Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov was arrested on related charges. The UK had already designated ‘Terrorgram’ as a terrorist organization in April.
