In a significant legal action, US prosecutors have charged two men with leading a white supremacist group on the messaging app Telegram, alleging they waged a campaign to incite violence across the country. The allegations, detailed in a recently released indictment, underscore the grave threat posed by extremist groups operating in the digital age.
Dallas Erin Humber, 34, and Matthew Robert Ellison, 37, are at the center of the case. They are accused of running the “Terrorgram” network, a group that used Telegram to promote violent acts and propagate extremist ideologies. The indictment, which spans 37 pages, details how Humber and Ellison allegedly tried to incite a race war by encouraging members to commit terrorist acts.
The indictment reveals that Terrorgram was not just a platform for spreading hateful rhetoric, but also a hub for planning violence in the real world. Prosecutors allege that the group distributed bomb-making materials, compiled lists of potential assassination targets and encouraged its members to commit violent acts. The group’s content included videos and posts with titles such as “The Hard Reset”, “White Terror” and “The List”. The list reportedly included the names of individuals including a US senator, a federal judge and various state and local officials. According to the indictment, Humber and Ellison took over leadership of Terrorgram in 2022 after the arrest of a previous leader on terrorism charges. They allegedly used their new position to further radicalize their followers and coordinate violent actions. One of the key elements of their strategy was to exhort its members to “act now” and “do your part”, a directive they are accused of using to promote violent acts. Matt Olson, the head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, emphasized the seriousness of the charges. “These are not just words,” Olson said. “The evidence suggests that the defendants were not only inspiring individuals but also actively worked to incite actual attacks.” The indictment also links Terrorgram to a number of violent incidents, including an October 2022 shooting at an LGBTQ bar in Slovakia that resulted in two deaths, and a stabbing attack in Turkey. These links underscore the potential real-world consequences of the group’s online activities. Both Humber and Ellison face 15 federal charges, including conspiracy to murder a federal officer, hate crime conspiracy, and conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism. Their arrests took place last Friday, but it is not yet clear whether they have legal representation. The case highlights growing concerns about the role of digital platforms in facilitating extremist activities. Telegram, the app used by Humber and Ellison, has faced scrutiny for its handling of such content. Last month, Telegram chief executive Pavel Durov was arrested under a warrant related to his app. The investigation into Durov reportedly focuses on allegations that Telegram failed to adequately moderate its platform and address criminal activity such as drug trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and fraud. Telegram has previously denied claims of inadequate controls.
The charges against Humber and Ellison are part of a broader effort by law enforcement to combat the rise of online extremism and its real-world impacts. By targeting leaders of extremist groups that use digital platforms to incite violence, authorities aim to disrupt and dismantle networks that pose a significant threat to public safety.
This case is a reminder of the challenges technology companies face in moderating content and preventing their platforms from being used for harmful purposes. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the responsibility of tech companies to address and prevent extremist activity remains a critical issue.
In conclusion, the indictment against Dallas Erin Humber and Matthew Robert Ellison represents an important step in addressing the threats posed by online extremist groups. Their alleged activities and their connection to real-world violence underscore the urgent need for continued vigilance and action to combat terrorism and hate-motivated violence in the digital age.
