Proud Boys supporter who U.S. claims experienced ammunition cache and created threats pleads not guilty

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A Happy Boys supporter who U.S. prosecutors explained saved a big weapons cache and made ominous social media posts, including toward a Democratic senator, pleaded not responsible to charges of remaining a felon in possession of ammunition and making on line threats.

Eduard Florea, of Queens, New York, entered his plea by a federal general public defender at a Friday hearing ahead of Main U.S. Magistrate Choose Cheryl Pollak in Brooklyn federal court docket.

Florea was charged immediately after FBI agents searched his Center Village home and observed a lot more than 900 rounds of ammunition, 72 army-style overcome knives, two hatchets and two swords, in accordance to court papers.

Prosecutors mentioned Florea made use of the identify “LoneWolfWar” on Parler, a social media system well known with a lot of conservatives, to make threats in advance of and for the duration of the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, however he did not journey to Washington, D.C.

According to a Jan. 22 indictment, Florea responded to a submit concerning freshly-elected Ga Senator Raphael Warnock by creating “Dead males just can’t go s*** guidelines,” and later wrote “I am awaiting my orders … Armed and ready to deploy” and “It’s time to unleash some violence.”

Florea experienced been beforehand convicted on a New York condition weapons possession demand, prosecutors mentioned. He was arrested Jan. 12 and detained with out bail.

The Very pleased Boys are a much-right group that has supported violence and had endorsed former U.S. President Donald Trump.