LOS ANGELES
A San Fernando Valley man associated with a racially motivated violent extremist group is being charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon possessing ammunition, officials stated.
Ryan Scott Bradford, 34, of Reseda, was arrested at his residence Thursday.
As alleged in the complaint, between 2021 and January 2023, Bradford posted online messages and photographs documenting his use of a 3-D printer to manufacture firearms and calling for the mass murder of Jews.
During a search of Bradford’s residence yesterday, agents and officers with the FBI, the DEA and the LAPD recovered 116 rounds of ammunition, officials stated.
Bradford is prohibited from possessing due to a 2012 burglary conviction; firearms parts – including two 3D printed auto sears and five “switches,” both of which are used to convert semi-automatic firearms into fully-automatic firearms; two 3D printers, one of which had swastikas painted on it; various Nazi propaganda; and an apparent improvised explosive device (IED).
Following discovering the apparent IED this week, law enforcement temporarily shut down streets near Bradford’s residence.
“As alleged, this convicted felon affiliated with a violent white supremacist group who espouses horrific acts of violence against Jews appears to be manufacturing firearms and possessing an improvised explosive device,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada.
Adding, “The potential danger to the community cannot be overstated. We will continue to investigate this matter to ensure that this defendant is held accountable for his crimes and to keep our community safe from acts of violence motivated by racist and hateful ideology.”
“The defendant is a self-described anti-Semite associated with a white supremacist group which espouses the hatred of Jews and other minorities,” said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Hateful rhetoric that crosses the line into violence will get the attention of law enforcement, and those who engage in such extremism will be held accountable should they act upon their violent rhetoric.”
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Bradford used an Amazon account with the username “Peck Erwood” with a woodpecker avatar.
The woodpecker logo is used by the San Fernando Valley Peckerwoods, a racially motivated violent extremist group based in Los Angeles County.
The Peckerwoods originated in the California state prison system and its members have engaged in racially motivated violence, drug and illegal firearms trafficking, and fraud, according to the affidavit.
As alleged in the complaint, Bradford – using online usernames referencing the Peckerwoods – used messaging applications such as Telegram to post racist remarks against Jewish people, including calling for mass murder and genocide of Jews.
This week, law enforcement recovered from Bradford’s residence a calendar with a handwritten note stating: “New Year’s Resolution: Take over the world – save Aryan race *Bake every single Jew.*”
Bradford also posted links and instruction manuals on Telegram concerning hand grenades, biological warfare, and the “Aryan Revolution.”
According to the complaint, he also offered to make firearms and firearm parts for others using 3-D printers.
The affidavit further alleges that Bradford sent text messages in November 2022 to coordinate the distribution of methamphetamine and sent two photographs of methamphetamine to a buyer.
The complaint alleges that he conspired with Kris Dean Drakakis, 42, another member of the Peckerwoods, who was indicted on June 30 on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes; and being a felon in possession of ammunition.
Drakakis plead not guilty to the charges and has a scheduled August 22 trial date. He is in federal custody.
If convicted of the charges in the complaint, Bradford faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the drug conspiracy charge and up to 15 years for the ammunition possession charge.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Reema El-Amamy of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.