Kirtland, OH – Blake Austin Meyer, 25, a Lake County man who identified himself as an enforcer for the Aryan Brotherhood, a violent neo-Nazi prison gang, was arrested on Sept. 12 by an FBI special agent following a federal warrant.
Charges and Background
Meyer faces charges for illegally possessing a firearm or ammunition, according to court records obtained by FOX 8.
Records reveal a troubling history of criminal behavior:
- Previously arrested and convicted in 2021 for burglary in Lake County, serving nine months in jail
- Joined the Aryan Brotherhood while incarcerated
- Carried out an assault for the gang during his time in jail
FBI Searches and Seizures
The FBI conducted searches of Meyer’s homes in Kirtland and Painesville, seizing:
- Loaded handgun
- Ammunition
- Laptop
- 3D printer (believed used to manufacture at least one firearm)
Investigators also report that Meyer illegally purchased two AR-15 rifles and a fully automatic shotgun, which he allegedly traded for other firearms and drugs.
Social Media and Threats
Meyer first drew FBI attention in January when his social media posts showed him with weapons, large amounts of cash, and SS lightning bolt tattoos, a symbol linked to Nazi Germany’s death squads.
Records also indicate alarming behavior outside of social media:
- On July 31, Meyer called the Maltz Museum in Beachwood, expressing support for Adolf Hitler’s ideology and referencing his Aryan Nations affiliation, ending the call with “Heil Hitler”
- The museum contacted Beachwood Police, who then notified the FBI’s Cleveland office
Beachwood Police Chief Dan Grispino said authorities are taking all reports of potential hate crimes seriously and working closely with federal partners to ensure public safety.
Dangerous Incidents
Meyer was involved in several other alarming incidents in early September:
- On Sept. 4, Mentor Police responded to a disturbance at Huntington Bank on Reynolds Road after Meyer became upset when his check was not cashed
- He made threats, saying: “I’m really gonna go to jail over a bank” and “I will be back with something a lot bigger and a lot stronger”
- Meyer admitted to driving 120 mph toward Dead Man’s Curve in Cleveland while threatening to end his life
- He reported being schizophrenic and off his medication due to cost
Court Proceedings
Meyer was due in federal court for a detention hearing on Thursday and is being represented by a public defender.
What are your thoughts on law enforcement’s response to threats from extremist groups like the Aryan Brotherhood? Share your opinions in the comments below.
