Neo-Nazi pleads guilty to terrorism charge after 'trying to save train from black people'

Chris Riotta
Updated
Amtrak conductors subdued a Neo-Nazi who had stopped a train until police officers arrived to the scene an hour later in the remote region of Nebraska: Reuters
Amtrak conductors subdued a Neo-Nazi who had stopped a train until police officers arrived to the scene an hour later in the remote region of Nebraska: Reuters

A Neo-Nazi who stopped an Amtrak train in Nebraska and threatened deputies with a handgun has plead guilty to federal terrorism-related charges.

Taylor Michael Wilson told a judge he was high on drugs when he stopped the train using an emergency brake, disabling the vehicle and cutting off its lights from a secured inside compartment.

A police officer's body camera footage showed Mr Wilson pretending to shoot the authorities, saying, "I stopped the f****** train … I was going to save the train from the black people."

Mr Wilson was carrying identification cards associated with the American white supremacist political party the National Socialist Movement. Police said they found racist and anti-Semitic writings stuffed in the walls of his St. Louis home, as well as "propaganda relating to the National Socialist movement, body armour, ammunition, and pressure plates that can be used to make an explosive device."

Mr Wilson also wrote multiple journals about his "frustrations with the American government, society, and the media," which reportedly included "numerous derogatory and threatening comments about the Jewish race and African-Americans."

He was subdued by the train's conductors before police arrived nearly an hour later, as the Amtrak was located in an isolated region of Nebraska when its emergency brake was employed.

175 passengers were riding on the train when Mr Wilson stormed the vehicle.

Mr Wilson's attorney told the Lincoln Journal Star he expects a nine to 11 year sentencing to accompany the plea deal that was agreed in October.