Ohio Woman Who Wrote Fan Letters to Dylann Roof Going to Prison

dylan roof fan sentenced to 15 years in prison

An Ohio woman who plotted to commit mass murder at Toledo bar and bomb a pipeline in Georgia was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday for her role in the terrorist attacks, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio said in a release.

Elizabeth Lecron, 24, and her boyfriend, Vincent Armstrong, were arrested last December after they were accused of plotting an attack at a Toledo, Ohio bar and purchasing two pounds of black powder and hundreds of screws in preparation for an attack on a pipeline in Georgia.

According to the release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Lecron and her boyfriend began dating in 2018 and learned they shared an affinity for mass murderers. Lecron introduced Armstrong to an online group called the "True Crime Community" which "fixated and lionized mass murderers and posted extremely graphic images, videos, and sayings" from past mass shootings. The pair became "immersed" in the community, with the two taking trips to sights related to the Columbine High School shooting to pay tribute to the shooters. Lecron was also found to have written several letters to Dylann Roof, the mass murderer who was convicted for his part in perpetrating the Charleston church shooting in 2017.

At one point, Lecron and Armstrong began discussing committing their own mass murder in the Toledo area, referring to the potential attack as "D-day." According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the pair discussed number ideas, including using bombs and guns to "kill, maim and injure innocent people," and took several steps in preparation for their "D-day."

Lecron and Armstrong began purchasing guns and went to the shooting range to practice their shooting skills. Instructions on how to make pipe bombs were also found in their possession, as well as some of the necessary components to make them.

According to writings found in their personal journals, Armstrong wrote that he had a "vision to kill" with Lecron writing that "D-Day" would be her "salvation."

When a search warrant was executed at the couple's home, investigators discovered an AK-47, two shotguns, two handguns, and numerous rounds of ammunition.

“This defendant was deadly serious about plotting for an attack on Toledo and an interstate pipeline,” said United States Attorney Justin Herdman. 

"Today's sentence reflects the severity of her conduct and is a recognition of the continued efforts by law enforcement to protect the public from all violent threats," Herdman said.

Armstrong pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 10.

Lecron and Armstrong aren't the only people who claim to have been inspired by Roof. Last week, a 16-year-old girl was accused of plotting an attack on black churchgoers at Bethel African Methodist Church in Gainsville, Georgia. Authorities learned of the attack after other students reported the girl's behavior and threats.

Photo: Lucas County Sheriff's Department


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