The leader of an Eastern European neo-Nazi group pleaded guilty in New York City to trying to recruit people for violent attacks against Jews and racial minorities.
Federal prosecutors said Michail Chkhikvishvili, 22, was trying to recruit people to dress up as Santa and hand out poison candy to kids in New York on New Year’s Eve in 2023.
Prosecutors said he was the leader of an international extremist group called the Maniac Murder Cult that used Telegram to communicate.
Prosecutors say ‘Butcher’ sent detailed instructions
Federal investigators said Chkhikvishvili, a Georgian national also known as “Butcher,” sent an undercover FBI employee instructions on how to carry out the plot, including “buy poison materials,” wear a “big beard, makeup, glasses” and after giving “poisoned candies to many racial minorities … burn Santa clothes.”…