Case # 18F00571
28-year-old visited churches, synagogues while researching how to get away with murder
Nicholas Wesley Rose
SANTA ANA, Calif. –A 28-year-old Irvine man pled guilty today to one felony count of carrying a loaded firearm that was not registered to him and three misdemeanor counts of violation of civil rights in connection with threats made to three houses of worship in Orange County because of their connection to the Jewish community.
Rose had conducted extensive internet searches on the houses of worship and visited them between December 2017 and April 2018.
“There is no place for hate,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “He is a danger to society and every resident of Orange County should be aware of the threat he poses.”
Rose was sentenced to 825 days in the Orange County Jail, one year in a residential mental health treatment program, and five years formal probation with GPS monitoring. He is also required to stay 500 yards away from his victims and cooperate with the Orange County Probation Department regarding additional mental health treatment.
Rose’s parents contacted the Orange Police Department in April 2018 concerned about their son’s anti-Semitic rhetoric, including a statement that he intended to “get a gun and kill some Jews.” During a search of Rose’s Irvine apartment, police found anti-Jewish literature and a journal full of white supremacist and anti-Jewish writings by Rose, including a list of steps titled “Killing my first Jew” and a “Kill List.” The search also revealed note cards referencing two of the churches he visited, including a list of negative characteristics of each church, specifically in regards to their sympathies to Jewish people.
Investigators also discovered that Rose had conducted extensive internet searches of white supremacy ideology, anti-Semitism and the effective range of a silenced .22 long range rifle.
Police discovered hundreds of rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, a shovel, and a sleeping bag in Rose’s car.
Sr. Deputy District Attorney Brett Brian of the Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted this case.