A Wheatfield man accused of building bombs will remain in federal custody. Michael O'Neill, 45, is charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device. O'Neill lost his leg July 21 when a device exploded inside a garage on Walmore Road. Federal prosecutors say they consider O'Neill a danger to the community.
U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Hugh Scott rejected the defense attorney's request for O’Neill to be placed under his mother's supervision during a detention hearing Wednesday.
U.S. Attorney William Hochul told reporters items were also discovered along with the bomb-making material that are "consistent with a white supremacist" including a depiction of a Ku Klux Klan symbol.
"It included a picture of the founder of the Ku Klux Klan, Nathan Bedford Forrest. It also included another picture consisting of a Nazi storm trooper along with certain language of a derogatory nature," stated Hochul.
A confederate battle flag was also among the items.
"It means that law enforcement does have more work to do," noted Hochul.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Alsup said authorities are trying to determine the relationship between the items and the explosives material.
"They were in the immediate vicinity of where what the ATF is calling destructive devices," noted Alsup.
Alsup was asked if there is any indication of O'Neill's intention with the bomb-making items.
"There's no way to know. Luckily, he is detained. He's no longer at-large in the community," stated Alsup. "Luckily for the community, he only hurt himself. I know that the primary offender or alleged offender at this point is safely out of the community. That we figure out and find out what Mr. O'Neill was potentially going with these destructive devices."
O'Neill is recovering at the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo. It is unknown when he will be released from the hospital. O'Neill is the stepson of Niagara County Legislature Chairman William Ross.
The investigation is ongoing.
