FBI informant takes the stand in Garden City bomb plot trial

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) An FBI informant takes the stand in the federal trial of three western Kansas men accused of plotting to kill immigrants.

Federal prosecutors say Gavin Wright, Patrick Stein and Curtis Allen conspired to blow up a Garden City apartment complex filled with Somali Muslim refugees.

Wednesday afternoon, the FBI informant testified that he met the three defendants after spending time with a militia in southwest Kansas.

He said after spending time with Patrick Stein, he learned of Stein’s separate militia – Kansas Security Force and his hatred for Muslims. He also said Stein’s anger and hatred was unlike the others.

When questioned in court, the informant said there was a plan in place to build explosives, kill Muslims, kidnap the landlords, and rape and kill the families of the landlords.

The informant said the men picked the apartment complex in Garden City because it had a high concentration of Muslims, and they could do the most damage.

He talked about surveillance the militia members would do watching Somalis and following them while armed. He said the militia believed Somalis were raising money for terrorists and recruiting them.

The informant said, at times, Patrick Stein scared him.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is expected to resume questioning the informant on Thursday. The defense will also have the opportunity to cross-examine the witness.