A federal judge on Thursday agreed to release a Coast Guard lieutenant who was accused of plotting domestic terrorism.
Christopher Hasson, who was accused in February of stockpiling weapons and drawing up a political hit list, will be released on bail, according to a Baltimore NBC affiliate.
Following his arrest, Hasson faced gun and drug charges to which he has pleaded not guilty, according to CNN. But because he has still not been charged with any terrorism-related counts his public defender argued that the government could not continue to detain him.
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According to CNN, Judge Charles Day, an Obama appointee, said that while he still had “grave concerns” about the alleged actions, the government had not made a case for continuing to detain Hasson.
Hasson is a self-proclaimed white nationalist and called for the use of violence to “establish a white homeland,” prosecutors said. Officials said they found a list of prominent Democrats and journalists Hasson wanted to kill, including Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy Patricia D'Alesandro PelosiDemocrats are playing voters on their fantasies for impeachment The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump tells House investigators ‘no’ Seven big decisions facing Biden in 2020 primary MORE (D-Calif.), Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerMJ Hegar announces Texas Senate bid Hillicon Valley: House Dems subpoena full Mueller report | DOJ pushes back at ‘premature’ subpoena | Dems reject offer to view report with fewer redactions | Trump camp runs Facebook ads about Mueller report | Uber gets B for self-driving cars Dem legal analyst says media ‘overplayed’ hand in Mueller coverage MORE (D-N.Y.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezFeminists should thank God for capitalism Progressive group comes out against Biden’s White House bid Trump says Ocasio-Cortez is ‘correct’ in comments about VA MORE (D-N.Y.), Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisThe symbol of ‘Wakanda’ and black political vision Seven big decisions facing Biden in 2020 primary Sanders dominates, Buttigieg surges in 2020 social media battle MORE (D-Calif.) and Sen. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerBooker fundraises off Biden announcement The symbol of ‘Wakanda’ and black political vision The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump tells House investigators ‘no’ MORE (D-N.J.).
Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenColbert links large 2020 Dem field to Avengers: ‘A group of every available person in the universe’ Seven big decisions facing Biden in 2020 primary Sanders dominates, Buttigieg surges in 2020 social media battle MORE (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) were allegedly listed as “poca warren” and “Sen blumen jew,” respectively on the hit list.
Prosecutors also said they found at least 15 firearms and at least 1,000 rounds of ammunition in his home.
Hasson’s lawyer will offer options for his supervised release at a later hearing, according to CNN.
“He’s got to have a whole lot of supervision,” the judge said. “Somebody who’s got eyes and ears on him like nobody’s business.”
He planned to order that Hasson remain confined to his home with electronic monitoring, according to The Associated Press. It is not clear when Hasson would be released.
Updated at 4:06 p.m.