White supremacist gets probation in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota judge sentenced a white supremacist today to four years of probation but no additional jail time for terrorizing residents of the small community of Leith, where he tried unsuccessfully to establish an all-white enclave and has left behind a legacy of fear.

Craig Cobb, 62, has been jailed since mid-November when he was arrested on seven felony terrorizing counts for scaring residents while patrolling Leith with a gun. He was due to be a free man later Tuesday after going through the jail release process — a reality that scares officials in Leith.

"Now we've got this lunatic out on the street again," City Councilman Lee Cook said after the sentencing.

Cobb — who says he is not a violent man — moved to Leith more than two years ago, bought a house and 12 other lots, and encouraged other white supremacists to join him to create a voting majority in the community of about two dozen residents. In August, he publicized his plans to fill the town with other white supremacists and take over the town government.

Judge David Reich sentenced Cobb to four years supervised probation but no additional prison time beyond the time served since November.

"The majority of the victim impact statements and victims in this case indicated they were in agreement with the plea agreement," Reich said of a deal Cobb had struck with Grant County State's Attorney Todd Schwarz.