Tampa, Florida – In a shocking case of racially motivated violent extremism, Lucas Alexander Temple, 20, of Sarasota, Florida, has been charged with possessing an unregistered firearm, possession of a firearm with a removed serial number, and receipt of child sexual abuse material.
According to the indictment and criminal complaint, on November 20, 2025, federal agents executed a search warrant at Temple’s home and found a shotgun with a sawed-off barrel that was not registered to Temple. This is a violation of federal law, which prohibits the possession of shotguns with barrels fewer than 18 inches in length without registration in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Agents also discovered evidence that Temple had been plotting a racially motivated act of violence, including pipe bombs, multiple firearms, ammunition, a pressure cooker, literature on how to manufacture explosives, and a written plan as to his intentions. Temple also possessed a variety of Nazi and mass shooting propaganda materials, including the Journals of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, the perpetrators of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, and a large flag bearing the Atomwaffen Division symbol.
The Atomwaffen Division (AWD) is a US-based racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist group. The group’s targets have included racial minorities, the Jewish community, the LGBTQ community, the United States Government, journalists, and critical infrastructure. AWD’s ideology largely focused on accelerationism, meaning the goal was to push society into armed conflict in an effort to create a radical social transformation.
As part of its investigation, federal agents learned that Temple had been communicating with other ideologically aligned individuals online about conducting violence against minorities and providing instructions on how to manufacture explosives. Agents also discovered that, on at least two occasions, Temple received images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. If convicted, Temple faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force with assistance from the Sarasota County’s Sheriff’s Office and the Sarasota Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Stoia and Risha Asokan.
According to the indictment, Temple was previously arrested on a criminal complaint. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the government to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Related Federal Cases
- Bradley Temple, Unlawful Money Transactions, West Virginia, 2023 · Alabama
- Bradley Temple Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Fund Embezzlement, … · Alabama
- Bradley Temple, COVID-19 Relief Money Embezzlement, Wheeling WV, 2023 · Alabama
- Bradley Temple Embezzled COVID Relief Funds, Wheeling WV, 2023 · Alabama
- Michael R. Synychak, Illicit Vape Sales, Florida 2023 · New York
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
