Alleged Neo-Nazi cult leader arrested for plot to poison Jewish, minority children

The leader of an alleged Eastern European-based neo-Nazi group has been arrested and charged with soliciting hate crimes and acts of mass violence. The Justice Department released a statement on Tuesday, July 16, identifying 20-year-old Georgian national Michail Chkhikvishvili as the suspected leader of a group called "Maniacs Murder Cult."

The group is described as an international, racially or ethnically motivated extremist group that "adheres to a Neo-Nazi ideology and promotes violence and violent acts against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems 'undesirables.'"

Chkhikvishvili is accused of planning a New Year’s Eve attack that involved a Santa Claus costume and distributing poisonous candy to Jewish and minority children in New York.

Prosecutors said Chkhikvishvili was arrested on July 6 in Moldova while attempting to recruit an undercover law enforcement employee posing as a recruit for the Maniacs Murder Cult.

According to court documents, Chkhikvishvili also created a manifesto titled the "Hater’s Handbook" and distributed it to group members. The manifesto encourages and instructs people on how to commit acts of mass violence and "ethnic cleansing." The handbook included methods for school shootings and terror attacks within the United States.

"His goal was to spread hatred, fear and destruction by encouraging bombings, arson and even poisoning children, for the purpose of harming racial minorities, the Jewish community and homeless individuals," U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement. "We will not hesitate to find and prosecute those who threaten the safety and freedoms of all members of our community, including members of minority communities, no matter where in the world these criminals might be hiding."

Prosecutors stated Chkhikvishvili faces a maximum of 50 years in prison.

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