Federal prosecutors said on Monday, Nov. 17 they would seek a sentence of up to 18 years for Michail Chkhikvishvili, the leader of an Eastern European Neo-Nazi group. He pleaded guilty before a federal judge in Brooklyn for soliciting hate crimes (which includes attempting to recruit an undercover federal agent to dress as Santa Claus and hand out poisoned candy to Jewish children and racial minorities) and distributing information about making bombs and ricin.

Chkhikvishvili, from the Republic of Georgia, is the leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, which is an international extremist group that adheres to a manifesto called the “Hater’s Handbook,” which promotes violent acts against racial minorities and other “undesirables.” Groups like these have been linked to many deaths in recent years, and they remain extremely dangerous. It’s always important to be on the look for the propogation of hate and its potential consequences.