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McKenzie man faces explosives charges By JAMIE PAGE Federal authorities have charged a McKenzie man with attempting to acquire chemical weapons, explosives and weapons of mass destruction to ''blow up'' government buildings.
Demetrius ''Van'' Crocker is accused of attempting to obtain Sarin nerve gas (also known as GB) and C-4 explosives, according to the federal complaint filed in U.S. District Court Monday. In announcing Crocker's arrest Monday, U.S. Attorney Terrell Harris characterized Crocker as having ''hatred for the government and anti-Semitic and racist views.'' Crocker was arrested Monday after an undercover federal agent met him in Jackson to deliver fake explosives to Crocker, and what Crocker thought was the ingredients for Sarin nerve gas, one of the world's deadliest chemical warfare agents. Crocker's arrest ended a federal investigation that started April 1 with information provided to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation by officers of the 24th Judicial Drug Task Force. A witness reported to local law enforcement officials that Crocker had inquired about where he could get ''nuclear waste and/or nuclear materials,'' according to the FBI's affidavit for his arrest. The witness told the FBI that Crocker ''had absolute hatred for the United States government and had made comments in the past to the effect that the country needs to be taken back by the people.'' Authorties said a federal court decision prohibits them from releasing Crocker's photo to the media. Here's how federal authorities caught Crocker, a 39-year-old white male from McKenzie, in an undercover operation, according to the affidavit for his arrest: On Sept. 16, a witness cooperating with federal authorities introduced an undercover federal agent to Crocker. During their meeting, Crocker told the agent of his dislike of the U.S. government and that ''it would be a good thing if somebody could detonate some sort of weapon of mass destruction in Washington, D.C., while both the U.S. Congress and Senate were in session.'' Crocker told the agent that he admires Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party ideology, that he has a hatred for Jewish people and believes that establishing a concentration camp for Jewish insurance executives ''would be a desirable endeavor.'' On Sept. 29, the agent again met with Crocker, who asked about the undercover agent's ability to get automatic weapons and chemical weapons to include certain nerve agents to attack the government. Crocker mentioned targeting an unspecified federal courthouse. Crocker told the agent he enjoyed hearing the news of the Sarin nerve gas attack on a Japanese subway system a few years ago. Crocker asked if the undercover agent has access to VX, a nerve agent. The agent told Crocker he didn't, but could get Difluoro, a precursor and key component for Sarin nerve gas, stolen from the Pine Bluff Arsenal. Difluoro is one of two components of Sarin. Crocker told the agent that he had made a chemical weapon, specifically mustard gas, in the past. He said he had once worked at an electroplating factory and had access to various chemicals from the factory. Crocker told the agent that he had also produced nitroglycerin and explained how to use it to construct a booby trap to injure someone. Crocker told the agent he had an AK47 and other assault type weapons and would be willing to kill law enforcement officers that try to take his weapons away. He also discussed his ability to kill ''government people'' and racially identifiable persons with his weapons. On Oct. 7, Crocker met with the agent and gave him $500 cash to obtain Sarin nerve gas or its precursor. The undercover agent also told Crocker he could deliver stolen C-4 explosives to him, to which Crocker stated a strong desire to get them. On Oct. 25, in Jackson, the agent delivered to Crocker what was represented as a container of Difluoro. The container was the same as that used to store Difluoro, but was filled with an inert substance. The agent also delivered to Crocker a block of substance identical to C-4 explosive materials, but was predominantly inert material. ''This is a good example of how important it is for residents in the community to work with law enforcement to address terrorism,'' said Ken Moore, supervisory senior resident agent for the Jackson FBI office. Visit talkback.jacksonsun.com and share your thoughts. - Jamie Page, (731) 425-9643 Sarin nerve gas (also known as GB)
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Story ID: 200410266620282 --- this story will be online for 7-days from the date of publication.
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