Man Was Part of a Hate Group, Posted Calls for Genocide and Racist Remarks
Ryan Scott Bradford, a 35-year-old man associated with a racially motivated violent extremist group, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for possessing ammunition as a convicted felon and possessing machine gun conversion devices. Bradford, a resident of Reseda in the San Fernando Valley, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton.
The sentencing follows Bradford’s guilty plea on January 11 to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and one count of possession of machine guns.
Law enforcement officers from the FBI, the DEA, and the LAPD conducted a search of Bradford’s residence on July 27, 2023, where they recovered 116 rounds of various ammunition. Bradford, prohibited from possessing ammunition due to a 2012 burglary conviction, also had in his possession two machine gun conversion devices for a semiautomatic AR-15-type firearm, four “chip” style machine gun conversion devices for a Glock-type firearm, and two “switch” style machine gun conversion devices for a Glock-type firearm.
During the search, authorities also found two 3D printers, one of which was adorned with swastikas, along with body armor featuring SS bolts and glass containers containing explosive components. In court documents, prosecutors argued that Bradford “has been involved in manufacturing guns for years” and was actively arming himself and others.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada stated, “This violent extremist not only made numerous threats to kill Jews but also was amassing weapons capable of carrying out acts of violence. Hateful behavior of this sort has no place in our society, and we will continue to use all the tools available to protect the community from violence driven by racially motivated ideology.”
Mehtab Syed, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, added, “Mr. Bradford, a felon, was calling for the genocide of Jews and offering to manufacture 3D weapons while illegally possessing firearms and ammunition. The Joint Terrorism Task Force will investigate violent threats and hold accountable individuals who engage in criminal activity.”
According to an affidavit filed last year, Bradford was associated with the San Fernando Valley Peckerwoods, a racially motivated violent extremist group. Bradford, using online aliases referencing the Peckerwoods, posted racist remarks against Jewish people, including calls for mass murder and genocide. Additionally, he shared links and instruction manuals on Telegram concerning hand grenades, biological warfare, and the “Aryan Revolution,” sometimes offering to manufacture firearms and firearm parts for others using 3D printers.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force led the investigation into Bradford’s activities, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Reema El-Amamy of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section prosecuted the case, while Assistant United States Attorney Alex Su of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section handled the forfeiture or abandonment of the firearms, conversion devices, 3D printers, explosives components, and tactical gear seized from Bradford.
