Federal Charges Against White Supremacist Group Members Dismissed Again by Judge

Federal charges against alleged members of a violent white supremacist group have been dismissed for the second time in five years. The charges were related to the group's alleged incitement of violence at political rallies in California.

U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney dismissed the federal charges against Robert Rundo and Robert Boman, who were accused of being members of the Rise Above Movement. This group was charged with conspiring to riot and using the internet to coordinate travel to political rallies, where they allegedly attacked demonstrators. These events took place in Huntington Beach, Berkeley, and San Bernardino in 2018. Additionally, the group was reported to have posted videos celebrating violence and recruiting members.

Judge decision

Judge Carney's decision to dismiss the charges was based on his assertion that the defendants were being selectively prosecuted while "far-left extremist groups" were not. Carney emphasized that there was evidence suggesting that Rundo, Boman, or their group members were involved in criminal violence. However, he stated that they should not be singled out for prosecution based on their beliefs, especially when others who committed similar acts were not facing the same legal consequences.

This is not the first time Judge Carney has intervened in this case. In 2019, he ruled that the Anti-Riot Act of 1968 was partly unconstitutional because it criminalized advocating violence when no riot or crime was imminent. His recent decision to dismiss the charges against Rundo and Boman echoes the concerns he previously raised about the act's constitutionality.

Following the latest ruling, Boman expressed emotions of remorse, stating that he was ashamed of his past actions. The report also indicated that he was already free on bond, while Rundo was detained. Despite prosecutors' request to keep Rundo in custody pending appeal, Judge Carney denied the request and allowed Rundo to go free.

Subsequent to Carney's decision, prosecutors filed a notice of appeal, indicating their intention to challenge the dismissal of charges. This ongoing legal battle suggests that the case is far from over and emphasizes the significance of the issues at hand.