Neo-Nazi leader accused of sending death threats to Brooklyn journalist: feds
A white supremacist calling himself “King ov Wrath” is accused of sending death threats to a Brooklyn journalist reporting on his extremist group, the feds allege.
Nicholas Welker, 31, who used to head the Feuerkrieg Division, or FKD, was arrested Tuesday in San Jose, California, where he lives, according to Brooklyn prosecutors.
The Anti-Defamation League describes the group as a “small international neo-Nazi group advocating race war” and has ties to the Atomwaffen Division, a white supremacist group that has been linked to five murders in the US.
Wellker is accused of leading a 2021 campaign of death threats against the journalist, who interviewed members of his group for a national news outlet. The court documents do not name the reporter or the news organization.
Welker, who also used the screen names “ilovehate5150” and “DankTree2316,” conspired with two minors to create and submit an image in August and September 2021 that threatened the reporter.
The image included the photo of the reporter with a gun to his head, with the words “Race Traitor” covering his eyes,” the feds said. “JOURNALIST GARDEN — OUT! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.” the image reads. “Responsible for stalking our boys for information.”
On Sept. 5, one of the minors Welker conspired with tweeted directly to the reporter to inform him of the threat, prosecutors said.
According to a federal complaint, “FKD members share the common goal of challenging the law, social order, and government through terrorism and other violent acts. The organization encourages attacks against racial minorities, the Jewish community, the LGBTQ+ community, the US government, journalists and critical infrastructure.”
Welker, whose case will be heard in Brooklyn Federal Court, could face up to five years in prison if convicted.
“He attempted to stifle free speech and to intimidate and instill fear in a journalist and the journalist’s employer, a well-known media organization,” US Attorney Breon Peace said. “We will not hesitate to prosecute those who threaten the fundamental values on which our society was founded, including the freedom of the press.”