By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
A U.S. Army soldier was arrested on allegations of planning to attack a major American news network, providing online instructions on building a bomb and strategizing an attack on Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke.
The 24-year-old soldier, Jarret William Smith, also expressed interest in joining a violent far-right paramilitary group in Ukraine and killing members of Antifa, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Smith, who was assigned to the First Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kan., has been charged with distributing information related to explosives and weapons of mass destruction.
Smith faces up to 24 years in prison.
Before joining the Army, Smith expressed interest in fighting in the Ukraine with a far-right group, according charging documents.
“No former military experience, but if I cannot find a slot in Ulaaine [SIC] by October I’ll be going into the Akmy [SIC],” Smith is accused of writing on Facebook chat. “To fight is what I want to do. I’m willing to listen, learn, and train. But to work on Firerums [SIC] is fine by me too.”
After joining the Army, Smith returned to Facebook chat to say he “got knowledge of IEDs for days.”
“We can make cell phone IEDs in the style of the Afghans. I can teach you that.”
