A Klu Klux Klansman from South Pittsburg entered guilty pleas Thursday in connection with constructing pipe bombs for use in blowing up Hispanic immigrants.
Daniel James Schertz, 27, pleaded guilty to six counts in an appearance before Federal Judge Curtis Collier.
Prosecutor James Brooks said he faces up to 10 years on five of the counts and 20 years on another.
Sentencing is Nov. 4 at 2 p.m.
The pleas were to manufacturing explosives, transporting explosives, teaching others how to make explosives, and possessing a Ruger pistol while under a restraining order.
In an affidavit, ATF Agent Mike Connors said between October 2004 and April 1 of this year, he and a confidential informant investigated activities of Schertz related to his membership in the Ku Klux Klan.
The agent said on April 1 he bought five pipe bombs from Schertz for $750 at his residence at 245 Beene Cemetery Road.
He said he and the informant walked to a shed on the property and he saw two partially completed pipe bombs lying on a workbench. He said Schertz was wearing rubber gloves and appeared to have been working on the pipe bombs.
He said Schertz picked up a black container of gunpowder and "said it was more powerful than the last stuff he used."
The agent said he observed various bomb components in the shed, including spark plugs, spark plug wires, gunpowder, packages of screws and several more pipes still wrapped in plastic.
Agt. Connors said Schertz said he needed to go to Lowe's to get five end caps to complete the pipe bombs.
He said on the way to Lowe's, Schertz began talking about acquiring firearms and accessories. He reached to his right side, ejected the magazine from his Ruger semi-automatic pistol, and said, "These will go right through a vest."
The affidavit says Schertz gave advice on using the pipe bombs to blow up a bus transporting Hispanic workers. He said he would like to "take care of" another specific group of Hispanic immigrants.
They returned to the shed and Schertz completed the pipe bombs, it was stated. He was then paid the $750.
Authorities said Schertz's ex-wife, Shauna Schertz, had a protective order against him.