Lloydminster RCMP seize firearms, Nazi flag, arrest man for hate-related threats

A 38-year-old man from Lloydminster is facing charges, including wilful promotion of hatred after police seized multiple firearms and a Nazi flag from a home, last week.

On Dec. 2, as part of an ongoing investigation, members of the RCMP’s crime reduction unit performed a search warrant at a home in Lloydminster, after reports of a man who was making credible threats of violence towards identifiable groups of people, said police in a Monday news release.

During the search, officers located and seized multiple firearms and ammunition that police said proved to be evidence relevant to the investigation.

In a phone call with Postmedia on Tuesday morning, Const. Mathew Howell said the first report was initiated by an RCMP officer, who saw the material online on Nov. 9.

Howell confirmed that the majority of the threats were posted online and were targeting multiple groups of people. The investigation is still ongoing.

“It’s something we don’t want to see in our communities, and we want to take any hate-related violent crime seriously, and it’s important to keep every member of our communities safe,” said Howell.

John Charles Reid, 38, of Lloydminster is charged with wilful promotion of hatred, unauthorized possession of firearms and unsafe storage of firearms.

Reid has been released on conditions and is set to next appear in court on Jan. 12 in Lloydminster.

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