Neo-Nazis enter pleas in hate case

By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter

Two neo-Nazis from Libby have admitted to yelling racial slurs at a white woman and her two part-native American children.

Daniel Roland Benson, 28, and Ervin Stradley, 33, both of 821 Louisiana Ave., pleaded guilty to reduced charges and have been released from jail. As part of the plea agreement, the most serious of charges were dropped against both.

Libby Police charged Benson and Roland with malicious intimidation - a hate-motivated felony - for yelling ethnic slurs on June 30 at the 41-year-old woman and her 11- and 13-year-old daughters. The victims were sitting in their car at a red light at Louisiana and U.S. Highway 2 near McDonald's.

Benson and Stradley, who live in a home at the intersection, also were charged with harassment, disorderly conduct and assault.

Police said both men belong to the National Socialist Movement - a neo-Nazi organization listed as a hate group. Benson also maintains a National Socialist Movement Web site. Before Benson and Stradley were arrested, they were being investigated for allegedly distributing National Socialist fliers.

"They were originally charged with assault," said Deputy County Attorney Bob Slomski. "When we reviewed it in our office, we didn't think it was an assault. They didn't hit anyone, but were just yelling."

Both pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and an amended charge of causing a public nuisance, Slomski said. Stradley entered his plea on Thursday, July 20. Benson pleaded guilty on Monday, July 24.

Both were immediately sentenced to 10 days in jail and fined $100 for disorderly conduct. Stradley had served 19 days in jail since his arrest on July 1, and Benson had served 23 days.

A public nuisance plea carries a maximum six months in jail. Both had their sentences suspended, which means they will not serve jail time unless they get in trouble.

"Assuming they were to violate the law again, they have that six months in jail hanging over them," Slomski said.

The county attorney's office discussed the plea agreement with the victim.

"She came into our office with one of her daughters," Slomski said. "I think they were fine (with the plea). We had kind of talked to her and told her where we thought the case was headed. It would've been hard to prove felony assault. You had a bunch of guys standing around the porch yelling at people in their car."

The woman told police after the June 30 incident the threats by Benson and Stradley weren't the first against her family. She also told police she was afraid for her life.

The older daughter told police that prior to June 30 she saw one of the men at another location. He allegedly looked at her and pointed to his gun or knife he was sharpening.

The younger daughter told a similar story.

The girls' father reported that when he was at a Libby gas station earlier on June 30, one of the suspects motioned at him with a closed fist.