Judge: 4 Ga. terror suspects could pose threat

Judge: 4 Ga. terror suspects could pose threat

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) — A federal judge has cited protecting public safety as the reason she denied bond for the four elderly Georgia men accused of plotting terror attacks against government officials.

U.S. Magistrate Susan Cole said in a written order this week that “there are no conditions of release for any of the defendants that will reasonably assure the safety of the community.”

Investigators accused 73-year-old Frederick Thomas and 67-year-old Dan Roberts of conspiring to obtain an explosive and possessing an unregistered silencer. Authorities also charged 55-year-old Ray Adams and 68-year-old Samuel Crump with conspiring and attempting to make ricin, a biological toxin.

The men, who have pleaded not guilty, were denied bond last week. But Cole didn’t release the 28-page order explaining her decision until Monday.