White supremacist and former National Guard member sentenced on drugs, weapons charges

In Norfolk, Virginia, Francis Harker — a former National Guard member believed to be involved in online conversations with extremist groups — has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for weapons and drug charges, according to WAVY-TV Channel 10 (an NBC affiliate in Norfolk).

WAVY, in a July 25 article, reports, “Court documents say Harker and an associate, on June 2020, discussed ‘interrupting an unjust stop’ by trapping law enforcement at a Virginia Beach shopping mall. Harker was able to get a semi-automatic rifle the same day, following that discussion, and falsely stated on the required purchase paperwork that he was not an unlawful user of any controlled substances, when in fact, he used illegal drugs, including LSD.”

WAVY adds that Harker, in 2021, “purchased a handgun and made the same false statement,” according to investigators.

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“In November 2021,” WAVY reports, “the FBI found firearms and illegal drugs at Harker’s home, as well as approximately 100 blank COVID-19 vaccination cards. Officials say Harker, who was a member of the National Guard, took the cards from the National Guard and mailed them to associates across the country. His electronic devices and social media accounts contained statements espousing violence towards law enforcement, extremism, and white supremacy. Also found during the search was a backpack in the trunk of Harker’s car that contained components for several Molotov cocktails.

WAVY adds, “He also possessed images including one with the words ‘Rape the Cops,’ an image of himself doing a Hitler salute, and imagery stating, ‘there is no god but Hitler.’”

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