I looked up his Usenet postings. In '95, he was describing himself as a "committed Christian" and trying to join a militia. By '96, he was asking for advice on converting to Islam. At one point, he was hanging out in skinhead forums. Gaming, second amendment rights forums, military history forums. A lonely, loser kid looking for a clique - preferably with shooting involved.
Don't get me wrong - he should be punished. He just shouldn't be overestimated.