Supremacist Faces Murder-for-Hire Charge

Associated Press/April 17, 2003

Concord, NH -- A white supremacist who allegedly described himself as a " domestic terrorist'' is facing federal charges that he offered to kill a state prisoner who may be released soon.

Russell C. Seace Jr., was charged Wednesday in U.S. District Court with using interstate commerce with the intent to commit murder-for-hire and with being a felon in possession for a firearm. He was ordered held without bail pending an April 25 detention hearing.

Seace, who belongs to the supremacist group Aryan Nations, is on parole from state prison for burglary, authorities said. Federal officials refused to identify the inmate whom Seace allegedly was willing to kill, saying to do so could endanger the man and his family.

FBI agents arrested Seace on Tuesday night after he allegedly accepted a firearm. He had identified himself to a secret government informant as a "domestic terrorist,'' said Joseph N. Laplante, an assistant U.S. attorney.

Laplante said he could not comment on what led investigators to Seace or who had attempted to hire Seace to kill the prisoner. He did say Seace's supremacist ties were relevant to the investigation.

Seace is listed as a contact on a Web site for the Eastern Region of the Church of Jesus Christ Christian, an Aryran Nations group. The number listed for Seace rang unanswered Thursday.