White Supremacist Plotters Arrested for Using Telegram to Promote Hate Crimes and Violence
Two individuals with alleged ties to white supremacist ideology have been arrested on federal charges for using the messaging app Telegram to incite hate crimes, violence, and attacks on minorities, government officials, and critical infrastructure in the United States, according to the Department of Justice.
Defendants Identified and Charges Filed
The defendants, Dallas Erin Humber, 34, of Elk Grove, California, and Matthew Robert Allison, 37, of Boise, Idaho, were arrested last Friday. They face a total of 15 federal counts in the Eastern District of California, including charges of soliciting hate crimes, conspiring to murder federal officials, distributing bomb-making instructions, and providing material support to terrorists.
The indictment describes the two as leaders of “Terrorgram,” a network of channels on Telegram used to promote violent white supremacist ideology. Prosecutors claim Humber and Allison encouraged followers to target perceived enemies of white people, including government buildings, energy facilities, and high-profile individuals such as politicians.
Use of Social Media to Spread Violence
The Justice Department’s Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the severity of their actions, stating, “Today’s action makes clear that the department will hold perpetrators accountable, including those who hide behind computer screens, in seeking to carry out bias-motivated violence.” According to prosecutors, Humber and Allison used Telegram to distribute bomb-making instructions and share a list of assassination targets, including a federal judge, a senator, and a former U.S. attorney.
Documentary and Promoted Violence
The two are also accused of creating a documentary, White Terror, which glorified over 100 acts of white supremacist violence from 1968 to 2021. Their messaging on Telegram urged followers to commit violent acts, using statements like “Take Action Now” and “Do your part.” Those who carried out these violent acts were promised recognition as “Saints” within their extremist group.
The indictment also highlighted acts allegedly inspired by Humber and Allison, including the stabbing of five people outside a mosque in Turkey last month and the arrest of an 18-year-old accused of planning to attack an electrical substation to advance white supremacist views.
Telegram Under Scrutiny
Telegram, a messaging platform widely used globally, has come under scrutiny due to its use by extremists and criminal organizations. The app’s founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, was recently detained by French authorities on charges related to the platform’s misuse by criminal elements. Durov has since vowed to enhance efforts to combat criminal activity on the platform, acknowledging the challenges posed by Telegram’s massive user base.
Ongoing Investigation
The arrests of Humber and Allison underscore the Justice Department’s commitment to confronting online extremism and the dangerous reach of white supremacist networks. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen remarked, “The risk and danger they present are severe. Their reach is as far as the internet because of the platform they’ve created.”
As this case unfolds, the Justice Department is working to ensure that individuals who promote and participate in such dangerous activities are held accountable.