U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Paul Hasson was arrested back in February for creating a list of targets, primarily Democratic lawmakers and liberal journalists. Hasson is a self-identified white nationalist who wanted "focused violence” to “establish a white homeland."
He is facing weapons and drug charges, but nothing relating to terrorism, CNN reported.
A federal judge on Thursday ordered Hasson's release, saying he didn't meet the criteria for continued detention, WBAL-TV reported.
Prosecutors wanted Hasson to remain behind bars until trial. They worry he will plan a terrorist attack. The judge agreed to a certain extent.
"While not dangerous enough to detain, I still have grave concerns about his dangerousness," the judge said.
"He's got to have a whole lot of supervision," the judge said. "Somebody who's got eyes and ears on him like nobody's business."
Hasson conducted a number of various search terms which were concerning.
"best place in dc to see congress people” and “are supreme court justices protected" were two phrases found in his internet search history.
“I am dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on the earth,” Hasson wrote in one of his letters, where he said he contemplated starting a biological plague.
The U.S. attorney's office in Maryland shared part of an email Hassan drafted.
“Please send me your violence that I may unleash it onto their heads. Guide my hate to make a lasting impression on this world," the email said.
According to prosecutors, Hasson was studying a 1,500 page manifesto written by Anders Behring Breivik, the person behind the 2011 Norway attacks. The book provided an outline for how to carry out a similar attack.
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