CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — A Randolph County man accused of plotting an attack on a federal courthouse made an appearance in federal court on Friday.
Jonathan Leo Schrader, 30, of Elkins, waived the right to a preliminary hearing, allowing the case against him to proceed.
He is accused of illegally obtaining C-4 plastic explosives and plotting to attack up the Jennings Randolph Federal Center, as well as the Mountain State Forest Festival by detonating the explosives, then using snipers when first responders arrived on the scene. Another alleged plot would involved detonating another device at a bank in Elkins as part of a heist.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Department first learned of the plans when approached by a cooperative witness who provided testimony, citing Schraders alleged anti-law enforcement, anti-government rhetoric.
Investigations by the FBI, State Police and the Sheriff’s Department led to a search warrant being executed at Schrader’s residence and surrounding buildings where a stick and a half of explosives were located.
He has been held since February 14 in Tygart Valley Regional jail as a federal inmate awaiting Friday’s detention hearing. Schrader’s legal counsel informed the court they would not be opposing the detention, but requested the right to appear in court as information and evidence regarding the case came forth.
The prosecuting attorney representing the federal government did not oppose the request, U.S. Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull continued the detention hearing and remanded custody of Schrader to the U.S. Marshals.