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Las Vegas synagogue plot suspect appears in federal court

Updated September 18, 2019 - 11:21 am

In federal court early Wednesday, Conor Climo sat unshackled in a swivel chair, twisting back and forth before he stood up and pleaded not guilty to a federal weapons charge.

The 23-year-old is accused of plotting to attack a Las Vegas synagogue, a local Anti-Defamation League office and a downtown bar that Climo believed welcomed the LGBTQ community.

He was indicted last week on a federal weapons charge.

Federal agents arrested Climo in August after bomb-making materials were found in his home. He faces one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, which refers to the “destructive devices” agents seized, court records show.

Prosecutors allege that Climo had been communicating with members of a white supremacist group about the proposed attacks. According to a criminal complaint, Climo also had discussed those plots with an undercover agent and informant.

After the brief hearing, Climo’s federal public defender declined to comment on the case. Prosecutors also declined comment.

The Las Vegas man remains in federal custody. A trial is set for November.

Contact Rachel Crosby at rcrosby@reviewjournal.com. Follow @rachelacrosby on Twitter.

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