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A former US Army soldier from Kentucky was sentenced to up to 45 years in prison Friday for planning a murderous terrorist attack on his paratrooper unit.
Ethan Melzer, 24, became a member of a violent extremist group that seeks to erode or destroy Western civilization.
His hands were shaking as the judge said he deserved the most for the lasting damage he caused by sharing US military secrets with other followers of a radical violent group known as the Order of Nine Angles, or 09A, and other terrorist groups.
US District Judge Gregory H. Woods rejected Melzer’s claim to be a reformed and repentant man, saying it was more likely that he was “playing another role” in seeking leniency just as he had “played soldier” to can conspire to try. to assassinate fellow paratroopers.
Melzer’s lawyers had asked that he spend no more than 15 years behind bars. He pleaded guilty last June to attempting to assassinate service members, supporting terrorists and illegally transmitting defense information.
Ethan Melzer, 24, became a member of a violent extremist group that seeks to erode or destroy Western civilization.
“I still regret everything I did,” Melzer told the judge before his sentence was announced. He said that he wished “I could say sorry to my squad” and wanted to show that he could still be a productive member of society.
Melzer is alleged to have used a username, ‘Etil Reggad’, in his communications with the ‘anarchist, neo-fascist, neo-Nazi and anti-Semitic’ O9A.
According to the federal government, O9A has expressed extremist views, including one that Adolf Hitler “was sent by our gods to guide us to greatness” and that the “Jewish ‘holocaust’ story is a lie to keep our race chained and express our desire to see the truth revealed.’
The government also says that O9A has also expressed support for the views of al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, as well as support for his organization’s terrorist attacks, including the bombing of US embassies in Africa, the attack on USS Cole and 9/11. 2001, attacks.
Shackled on his ankles, Melzer, of Louisville, Kentucky, was later escorted out of the courtroom by deputy federal marshals.
Without a plea deal, Melzer could have faced a life sentence.
Calling Melzer a traitor, Assistant US Attorney Matthew Hellman said his actions constituted “one of the most stunning betrayals within the ranks of the armed forces… ever prosecuted in federal court.”
Capt. Joshua Kraus, a military intelligence officer, told the judge that Melzer created a “psychological cancer” within his unit as trusted soldiers must put their commanders and fellow servicemen into question with his 30 arrest. May 2020 as his platoon was about to board buses to Italy.
The unit was headed to a military base where they had to protect an isolated and sensitive military installation.
O9A garnered media attention last summer when a US Army private, Ethan Melzer, was accused of planning an attack on his own unit and sharing details about the unit’s movements with the group. A book with the O9A logo was found among Melzer’s belongings (pictured)
Melzer is alleged to have used a username, ‘Etil Reggad’, in his communications with the ‘anarchist, neo-fascist, neo-Nazi and anti-Semite’ O9A.
Melzer was a private assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade stationed in Vicenza, Italy. The garnish is shown here
Kraus said the information Melzer shared online “with our sworn enemies” can never be recovered and has caused allies to question whether they can share sensitive information with the United States.
“Our allies and enemies are very aware of this case,” Kraus said.
Capt. Jacob Ferris, the former head of Melzer’s unit, said the platoon known as “Los Vaqueros” was riding high when they were chosen from 20 platoons for their delicate mission, only to discover that one of their own had “tricked and betrayed”. ‘ and left them ‘labeled as a platoon that had a terrorist’.
He said Melzer’s fellow paratroopers in the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team were angry to see “that one of their own had planned to kill them.”
He said the other soldiers were questioned by investigators who wanted to know if they had seen signs that Melzer was betraying his oath to the United States, and left them to confront what they might have missed.
Kraus said the information Melzer shared online “with our sworn enemies” can never be recovered and has caused allies to question whether they can share sensitive information with the United States.
Capt. Jacob Ferris, the former head of Melzer’s unit, said the platoon known as “Los Vaqueros” was riding high when they were chosen from 20 platoons for their delicate mission, only to discover that one of their own had “tricked and betrayed”. ‘ and left them ‘labeled as a platoon that had a terrorist’
One, Ferris said, told him: “I feel like out of 35 people, one of us should have seen the signs.”
Attorney Jonathan Marvinny, who is representing Melzer, pleaded for leniency, saying his client had fallen under the spell of “a ridiculous cult” and urged the judge not to pay attention to prosecutors who “paint him like a monster.”
Authorities said Melzer joined the military to infiltrate its ranks on behalf of a group that espouses neo-Nazi, anti-Semitic and satanic beliefs. They said the group tells members to subvert the military from within by going undercover to get training, commit acts of violence and identify like-minded people.
Prosecutors said in court documents that Melzer planned to join co-conspirators he met online to carry out a “jihadist attack” that would cause a “mass casualty” event that would result in the United States engaging in a war abroad, “causing massive bloodshed.” and terrible damage to the very country he had sworn to protect.’