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Alleged Neo-Nazi "Incel" Arrested In Queens Weapons Sting
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published May 13, 2020
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Evlakhov Valeriy / Shutterstock
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published May 13, 2020
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A Queens neo-Nazi who fantasized about forming an "incel hit squad" to instigate a race war was arrested during an undercover sting on Tuesday night, federal prosecutors said.
Joseph Miner, a 29-year-old Bayside resident, allegedly purchased illegally defaced weapons, including an AR-15, from two undercover agents inside a hotel room near La Guardia airport. He was arrested alongside Daniel Jou, 40, whom he introduced to the undercover officer as a neighbor and friend months earlier, officials said.
The federal complaint details a litany of racist and anti-semitic threats, along with far-right internet memes, shared online by Miner. One photo shows him giving the Nazi salute, along with the caption, "God I hate women jews n-ggers."
Another disturbing photo, posted in January of this year, depicts the entrance of the Jewish Community Center in Queens, according to the complaint.
In a series of messages posted on Instagram in November, Miner appeared to be considering a mass shooting, writing that he wanted to, "Go on a spree after my enemies til the authorities take me out...Sometimes I’ve considered forming a well trained incel hit squad.”
Incel, short for involuntary celibate, refers to an online subculture of men known for violence and misogyny.
Miner also said he planned to obtain weapons for "boogaloo" — a favorite alt-right shorthand for racial civil war.
"I’m pretty fearless at this point I yearn for the next Cville,” Miner wrote on November 15th, apparently referencing 2017's deadly right-wing rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The 29-year-old, who lives with his parents in Bayside, had been in touch with the undercover agent about purchasing the cache of weapons since 2019, officials said.
He was arrested on Tuesday night, after trying to buy an AR-15-style ghost gun, a shotgun and pistol with their serial numbers wiped off, as well as ammunition and high-capacity magazines, according to prosecutors.
Miner's neighbor Jou also bought an assault rifle with a silencer, a semi-automatic pistol, and ammunition. Police said they did not immediately have information on Jou's motive in buying the weapons.
Miner and his defense attorney Benajmin Silver submitted to a permanent order of detention during a virtual arraignment on Wednesday. Jou was still awaiting arraignment as of Wednesday afternoon.
Tagged
bayside
white supreamacist
neo-Nazi
queens
federal agent
Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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