Klansman Accused of Building Pipe Bombs

Associated Press in NY Times/June 11, 2005

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- A Ku Klux Klansman helped build seven pipe bombs that a federal informant told him would be rigged to vehicles used by Haitians and Hispanics, a federal agent testified Friday at a detention hearing.

Videotapes of meetings between the informant and Daniel Schertz, 27, showed them making the bombs and discussing how they would be used, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Lorin Coppock testified.

Schertz also ''offered on numerous occasions'' to participate in bombings that were concocted as part of the investigation, the agent said.

In a six-count indictment unsealed Friday, Schertz is accused of teaching and demonstrating how to make and use a bomb to further a violent crime, making such devices and possessing a pistol with armor-piercing bullets.

He was arrested May 19 in South Carolina following a seven-month investigation. A July trial date has been set.

Shertz's attorney, Mike Caputo, said he wanted to see the government's evidence before commenting. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Brooks also declined to discuss the case.