A self-confessed supremacist who aimed to set up a whites-only community in Colorado with a school that would give antisemitic lessons to young children is being held in custody following an FBI investigation.
Chad Edward Keith, 41, had 11 guns seized and was put in federal detention after the FBI claimed his possession of the firearms was illegal. He is alleged by investigators to have professed Nazi and white supremacist sympathies and to have wanted to establish a “white private community,” in Fremont County, near Colorado Springs.
According to reports, he has been charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person due to a previous federal weapons conviction. If convicted on the most recent charges, he could spend up to 10 years in prison.
Chad Keith is said to own a 2.6-acre property in Cotopaxi, a small town in Colorado with a population of less than 50. His federal arrest warrant describes the property as being “100 per cent off grid”, with numerous underground bunkers, a 10,000-gallon water cistern, and a 462ft-deep well.”
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It is here that the gun-obsessed supremacist was allegedly setting about establishing his “private” community. In a court filing, it is also alleged that Chad Keith wanted young children educated by military-style personnel in the ways of antisemitism. It was reported that he had also described himself as a Nazi who would “absolutely” die for his beliefs.
Details of his alarming plans emerged during an FBI investigation following reports that he was illegally in possession of firearms. FBI agents are said to have recruited an informant who obtained undercover pictures of his stash of weapons and learned about his white supremacist views.
His arsenal included rifles, handguns and shotguns, despite being barred from owning firearms due to a prior conviction. Chad Keith was expected to attend a court hearing on June 12, with a trial set for July 24.
The FBI’s indictment claims that Keith was in possession of:
- A 300 Magnum Bolt action rifle with no serial number
- Mossberg 500 12 gauge
- Savage model 93 R17 Caliber 17HMR
- Glock 21 caliber .45 auto
- Scoped bolt action rifle with a hand-engraved serial number
- Winchester model 62A, 22 caliber
- Century Arms C308 Sporter
- Ruger 10/22 22 long rifle
- Mossberg 590 12-gauge shotgun
- Century Arms WASR-10 7.62 by 39mm caliber
- Ruger Super Redhawk .44 magnum
In a criminal complaint, Special Agent Holly Andersen said that in October 2020, FBI Colorado started to receive tip-offs about Chad Keith. Various news sources quoted the special agent as saying that Chad Keith had allegedly revealed his plans for his property, including “wanting to leave a legacy and created a white private community”.
The informant stated: “Keith has discussed buying more neighboring properties in order to own a piece of land large enough to build and operate a school, which he would name Ravensridge or Ravensrock.
“Keith has stated he needs more land because he does not currently have enough space to do hardcore weapons training. The purpose of the school would be to teach various skills, including weapons training, and to instil ideology consistent with white supremacy.
“Keith’s target age group is younger than high school. Keith has discussed specific plans for the school, including an antisemitic curriculum. Keith hopes to recruit military personnel to help instruct at the school.
“He describes himself as a national socialist and a Nazi and frequently makes comments disparaging Jews and notes how he is unhappy that Jews control all financial and scientific aspects and run the world.”
The informant said he had fired weapons with Keith numerous times at the property. Pictures secretly captured by the informant showed Chad Keith handling and firing weapons.
