Three KKK members, who were also Florida prison workers, were arrested in a plot to kill a black inmate. Thomas Driver, 25, David Morgan, 47, and Charles Newcomb, 42, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Authorities confirmed all three men are members of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
At the time of their arrest, Driver and Morgan were employed at Lake Butler, Florida Department of Corrections Reception and Medical Center. Newcomb is a former employee of the same facility.
As reported by the Florida Times Union , the investigation was initiated by the Florida Attorney General’s Office in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Although the specific details of the investigation are unclear, authorities said the prison workers plotted to kill a black inmate upon his release. The Huffington Post reports that the murder was ordered “in retaliation for a fight.”
As the arrest warrants remain sealed by the Attorney General’s Office, it is unknown whether the KKK was involved in the Florida prison workers’ plot.
According to the organization’s website, “the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is simply a movement of White people for the highest standards of Western Christian Civilization.”
However, the organization freely admits that their goals are “racial in nature.”
“This Order will strive forever to maintain the God-given supremacy of the White Race. To preserve the blood purity, integrity, cultural, and traditions of the White Christian Race in America.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center lists the organization as an active Ku Klux Klan group, which has klaverns in Prattville, Alabama, and Potosi, Missouri.
The 3 prison officers (KKK members) arrested for a murder plot are just the tip of the iceberg. 346 inmates died in Florida prisons in 2014.
— Lex Looper (@lex_looper) April 2, 2015
The KKK refused to comment about the Florida prison workers’ plot. However, on their website, the organization decried “the media, government propagandists and their ilk.”
Did the Florida House reject the creation of a prison oversight commission because they KNEW what it might expose? #KKK
— Pete in Florida (@stpete2you) April 2, 2015
Spokeswoman Julie Jones confirmed Thomas Driver and David Morgan are no longer employed at the Department of Corrections Reception and Medical Center. The DOJ also released an official statement about the disturbing incident.
“Our department has zero tolerance for racism or prejudice of any kind… The actions of these individuals are unacceptable and do not, in any way, represent the thousands of good, hardworking and honorable correctional officers employed at the Department of Corrections.”
Authorities are not expecting an official statement from the KKK. However, the Florida prison workers were arrested for their participation in the plot. Driver and Morgan are currently incarcerated at the Columbia County Jail and Newcomb is in the Alachua County Jail.
[Image via Flickr ]
