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Nathan Larson (criminal)

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Nathan Daniel Larson (September 19, 1980 – September 18, 2022)[1][2] was an American white supremacist and convicted felon. A self-described "quasi-neoreactionary libertarian" who unsuccessfully ran for public office several times, he was expelled from the Libertarian Party of Virginia in 2017. Larson advocated for curtailing women's rights and decriminalizing child sexual abuse and incest.

Nathan Larson
Larson on February 11, 2021
Born
Nathan Daniel Larson

(1980-09-19)September 19, 1980
Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
DiedSeptember 18, 2022(2022-09-18) (aged 41)
Maricopa County, Arizona, U.S.
Cause of deathSuicide by starvation
EducationGeorge Mason University (BS)
Political partyIndependent (2017–2022)
Libertarian (2004-2017)
MovementWhite supremacy
Conviction(s)Threatening the President of the United States (18 U.S.C. § 871) (2008)
Criminal penalty16 months imprisonment (2009)
Kidnapping-related charges posthumously dismissed

Larson served fourteen months in prison for the felony of threatening the president of the United States in 2008. In 2020 he was arrested at Denver International Airport for allegedly kidnapping a 12-year-old girl, facing up to life in prison if he was convicted. According to court records, he intended to take her to his home, sexually assault her, and impregnate her. During a search of his home, detectives found evidence suggesting that he operated a website encouraging pedophilia and child rape. Larson died in custody before trial, committing suicide by self-starvation.

Early life and education

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Larson was from Charlottesville, Virginia, and lived with his parents in Catlett, Fauquier County.[3] An accountant, Larson earned a degree from George Mason University,[4] where he was a cannabis reform activist.[5]

Career

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After graduating from college, Larson became a member of the Libertarian Party.[6] He ran for Congress in Virginia's 1st congressional district during the 2008 election, running on an anarcho-capitalist platform.[7] He received less than 2% of the vote.[8]

As a convicted felon, Larson was barred from seeking state office in Virginia from 2009 until Governor Terry McAuliffe restored voting and candidacy rights to thousands of felons in 2016.[7][9][10] The following year he stood as an independent candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in the 31st district,[9][11][12] again receiving less than 2% of the vote.[7] His candidacy was discussed in the 2017 gubernatorial campaign, with the Republican nominee, Ed Gillespie, using it to criticize McAuliffe's action.[13] Larson was expelled from the Libertarian Party of Virginia early that year.[12][14]

In 2018, Larson ran as a "quasi-neoreactionary libertarian" for election to Congress from Virginia's 10th congressional district,[7][3] before withdrawing in August.[15]

Electoral history

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Date Election Candidate Party Votes %
Virginia's 1st congressional district
Nov 4, 2008[8] General Robert J. Wittman Republican 203,839 56.6
Bill S. Day, Jr Democratic 150,435 41.8
Nathan D. Larson Libertarian 5,265 1.5
Write-ins 756 nil
Virginia House of Delegates, 31st district
Nov 7, 2017[16] General L. Scott Lingamfelter Republican 12,658 44.2
Elizabeth Guzmán Democratic 15,466 54.0
Nathan D. Larson Independent 481 1.7
Write-ins 39 nil
Virginia's 10th congressional district
Nov 6, 2018[17] General Barbara Comstock Republican 160,841 43.7
Jennifer Wexton Democratic 206,356 56.1
Nathan D. Larson Independent Withdrew
Write-ins 598 0.2

Political positions and online advocacy

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Larson's campaign photo, 2008

In his 2008 candidacy for Congress, Larson advocated doing away with government at all levels, saying, "All government functions could be better performed by the private sector".[18] Endorsed by the Libertarian Party of Virginia, he stated in its newsletter that the primary aim of his candidacy was introducing libertarian ideas; he focused on transportation, proposing that the U.S. highway and rail systems be auctioned off to private owners who would compete to offer toll-based services,[19] and also that private property rights be extended to Chesapeake Bay.[20] In 2017, as a self-described "red pill Libertarian", his platform included legalizing child pornography[10] and polygyny, eliminating state funding for girls' and women's education, and repealing the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave women the right to vote.[9]

Larson's online manifesto in 2018, which has since been taken down, advocates "benevolent white supremacy" and names Adolf Hitler as a "white supremacist hero".[7] It calls for free trade, "putting an end to U.S. involvement in foreign wars arising from our country's alliance with Israel", drug legalization,[13] suicide rights,[21] protection of gun ownership rights, legalization of child pornography, legalization of incest, and repeal of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act.[7] Regarding women, he states: "We need to switch to a system that classifies women as property, initially of their fathers and later of their husbands";[7] he has blamed school shootings on feminism, saying: "Guns don't kill people – feminists do."[13] After withdrawing his candidacy in August 2018, he offered his endorsement to Democrat Jennifer Wexton, giving as one of his reasons that the Republican incumbent, Barbara Comstock, "continually takes the side of career women".[15] On white supremacy, he said that whites are supposedly superior to other races because of "our cultural creativeness, our willingness to invest in the long term rather than living for today, and our conscientious desire to do the right thing even if it requires heroic self-sacrifice for the good of society",[13] and must resist Jews' attempts to "attain complete supremacy" in the U.S., which would lead to their "destroy[ing] what made this country worth living in".[12]

Larson began editing Wikipedia in 2005, initially under his real name. One of his focuses on Wikipedia was reportedly his desire to make taboo or illegal topics, including child sexual abuse, culturally acceptable. Larson ran a large number of sock puppet accounts, which he used to promote positions such as decriminalizing child sexual abuse and argue against Wikipedia's child protection policy. He was blocked in 2008 and later banned from the site entirely; he first moved to Wikiversity, a Wikimedia Foundation project for learning tutorials and academic articles, then to the skeptic wiki RationalWiki. According to Haaretz, he may have been the first person to be banned from RationalWiki.[22]

Larson also created Internet chat rooms for self-identified "incels" (involuntarily celibate men) and for pedophiles, incelocalypse.today and suiped.org, and wrote posts on the sites endorsing child rape and describing himself as a "hebephilic rapist".[7] Both sites were removed by the hosting company in late May 2018 after a complaint by the website Babe.net.[7][13][23] Larson told The Huffington Post in response to a question about whether he was actually a pedophile or merely wrote about it online, "It's a mix of both ... When people go over the top there’s a grain of truth to what they say."[4][7] He described the term as "vague" and described men being attracted to underage girls as "normal".[7]

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In 2009, Larson pleaded guilty to sending a letter in December 2008 to the U.S. Secret Service threatening to kill the President of the United States. At that time, the message was sent just after Barack Obama was elected president while George W. Bush was still in office, although Larson did not specify which president the threat was for.[24] He was sentenced to sixteen months' imprisonment and three years' supervised release; he served fourteen months.[7][25][9] In March 2017, he described the letter as "an act of civil disobedience".[9]

In August 2010, Larson wrote to the federal prosecutor describing the mental health treatment he had received after his conviction as "a complete waste of taxpayer money" since he did not have a mental illness and announced that he would violate the terms of his release from prison: "If you happen to hear the distinctive sound of gunfire of a Solothurn S-18/100 20 mm Anti-Tank Cannon emanating from my backyard, as cardboard cutouts of statist federal politicians, federal judges, federal prosecutors, and federal agents become riddled with large, ragged bullet holes, please know, that there is nothing amiss; it is just me engaging in target practice".[4]

Larson admitted to raping his ex-spouse,[7][4] who was transgender, and who died by suicide after the birth of their daughter.[26] In November 2015 a jury in Colorado denied him custody of the girl, and he announced the following month that he would seek legal termination of his parental rights.[27] He eventually remarried.[7]

On December 14, 2020, Larson was arrested at Denver International Airport on felony charges of attempted kidnapping, child abduction, soliciting child pornography from a minor, and meeting a child for the intention of sex, along with a misdemeanor charge of harboring a minor. The charges were in relation to an alleged plot to kidnap a 12-year-old girl from California. Larson had met the victim in October 2020 and convinced her to send him inappropriate images of herself, and eventually to leave her home to fly back with him to Virginia. Authorities intercepted Larson and the girl while they were in Denver for a layover.[28][29][30] During a search of Larson's Virginia home, detectives found evidence suggesting that he operated a website encouraging, and facilitating sharing media of, pedophilia and child rape.[31][32] A criminal complaint[33] was filed against Larson on December 23, 2020, and he was indicted[34] on multiple federal charges.[a][35][36] Because the victim was a minor and Larson was not a family member, he faced a minimum of twenty years in prison on the kidnapping charge and up to life in prison on the charge of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity.

At his arraignment on February 25, 2021, Larson pleaded not guilty to the charges and requested to represent himself under Faretta v. California.[37] He was initially represented by attorney Peter M. Jones; in March 2022, Judge Jennifer L. Thurston granted him pro se status and allowed him to represent himself.[38] His pro se status was revoked on March 31 and Jones was re-appointed to represent him for all further proceedings.[39]

Death

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Larson died in custody in an Arizona facility on September 18, 2022. On October 11, the indictment against him was dismissed.[2] His cause of death was reported in 2023 as self-starvation.[40]

Notes

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  1. ^ The indictment against Larson listed five federal charges - kidnapping and attempt under 18 USC §1201(a)(1), (d), and (g), transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity under 18 USC §2423(a), coercion and enticement of a minor under 18 USC §2422(b), sexual exploitation of a minor and attempt under 18 USC §2251(a) and (e), and receipt and distribution of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors under 18 USC 2252(a)(2). It also listed a forfeiture allegation under 18 USC §§ 981(a)(1)(C), 2253(a), 2428, and 28 USC 2461(c).

References

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  1. ^ "Nathan Larson's Biography". Vote Smart. Archived from the original on June 7, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Tehee, Joshua (October 17, 2022). "Alleged white supremacist pedophile who groomed 12-year-old Fresno child dies in custody". The Fresno Bee.
  3. ^ a b Eli Rosenberg (June 3, 2018). "He's pro-incest, pedophilia, and rape. He's also running for Congress from his parents' house". Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 6, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d "Virginia congressional candidate Nathan Larson admits he's a pedophile". New York Daily News. June 1, 2018. Archived from the original on June 3, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  5. ^ Michael Victorian (December 19, 2002). "GMU student leader fights to reduce marijuana possession penalties". District Chronicles. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  6. ^ "GMU Student Senator Raises Controversy over Marijuana Bill". Libertarian Party of Virginia. November 26, 2002. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Jesselyn Cook; Andy Campbell (June 5, 2018) [May 31, 2018]. "Congressional Candidate In Virginia Admits He's A Pedophile". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on June 7, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "2008 U.S. House General Election: District 1". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d e Antonio Olivo (March 8, 2017). "He threatened to kill the president. Now he is seeking public office". Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.
  10. ^ a b Jill Palermo (February 28, 2017). "Update: Delegate candidate convicted in 2009 of threatening to kill the president". Fauquier Times-Democrat. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018.
  11. ^ "Independent Nathan Larson seeks 31st District seat". Fauquier Now. November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018.
  12. ^ a b c Emily Leayman (June 11, 2018). "Pedophile And Hitler Fan Running For Congress Makes Ballot". McLean Patch. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  13. ^ a b c d e William Cummings (June 2, 2018) [June 1, 2018]. "Nathan Larson is a pedophile and a white supremacist. And he's running for Congress". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 4, 2018.
  14. ^ "Statement Regarding Nathan Larson: Libertarian Party of Virginia Censures Potential Candidate" (press release). Libertarian Party of Virginia. February 28, 2017. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018.
  15. ^ a b Jill Palermo (August 14, 2018). "Nathan Larson backs Wexton after dropping his controversial bid for Congress, Wexton declines his endorsement". Fauquier Times-Democrat. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018.
  16. ^ "2017 November General: Official Results". Virginia Department of Elections. December 8, 2017. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
  17. ^ "Certified Candidates in Ballot Order for November 6, 2018 General Election" (PDF). Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2018.
  18. ^ Don Del Rosso (September 3, 2008). "Libertarian Larson would dissolve government". Fauquier Times-Democrat. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008.
  19. ^ "Larson: Bringing Message to 1st" (PDF). Virginia Liberty. Libertarian Party of Virginia. May–June 2008. pp. 1, 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 12, 2012.
  20. ^ "Voters Guide: Three Looking to Take Virginia's 1st District Seat in Congress". News Channel 8. October 9, 2008. Archived from the original on November 8, 2008.
  21. ^ Andrew Buncombe (June 2, 2018). "Self-described white supremacist and paedophile running for US congress from his parents' home". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 4, 2018.
  22. ^ Benjakob, Omer (June 14, 2018). "This Hitler-loving Proud Pedophile Was Too Much of a Troll for Wikipedia, but Not for a Congressional Run". Haaretz. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  23. ^ Harry Shukman (May 30, 2018). "How we took down a social network for pedophiles: It was called Incelocalypse". Babe.net. Archived from the original on June 7, 2018.
  24. ^ "Man Jailed for Threatening to Kill President Considers Run for Office". Roll Call. Nia Prater. March 7, 2017.
  25. ^ "Boulder man sentenced in presidential threat". Denver Post. October 9, 2009. Archived from the original on June 7, 2018.
  26. ^ J. Adrian Stanley (November 11, 2015). "Nathan Larson admits he has "sexual feelings" for children, seeks custody of daughter". Colorado Springs Independent. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
  27. ^ J. Adrian Stanley (December 16, 2015). "Nathan Larson now says he won't seek custody of baby". Colorado Springs Independent. Archived from the original on June 7, 2018.
  28. ^ Swenson, Kyle. "Virginia man arrested over alleged plan to kidnap 12-year-old Calif. girl". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  29. ^ Chavira, Danielle (December 19, 2020). "Known White Supremacist, Pedophilia Advocate, Nathan Larson Arrested At DIA". CBS Denver. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  30. ^ Lozano, Alicia Victoria (December 20, 2020). "Alleged pedophile, white supremacist arrested in kidnapping of 12-yr-old girl". NBC News.
  31. ^ Flores, Jessica. "Former Virginia congressional candidate arrested for 'extremely disturbing' plan to kidnap 12-year-old girl, police say". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  32. ^ "Sheriff: Man arrested on cross-country trip with girl, 12". The Independent. December 19, 2020. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  33. ^ "Complaint as to Nathan Daniel Larson (United States v. Larson)" (PDF). CourtListener. December 23, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  34. ^ "Indictment as to Nathan Daniel Larson (United States v. Larson)" (PDF). CourtListener. January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  35. ^ "Pedophilia advocate indicted in California on charges of kidnapping, child enticement, sexual exploitation, and more; feds search for more victims". The Mercury News. February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  36. ^ Morse, Dan (February 5, 2021). "With children stuck at home during coronavirus shutdowns, online sexual predators can swoop in". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  37. ^ "Transcript of Proceedings as to Nathan Daniel Larson held on 2-25-21 (United States v. Larson)" (PDF). CourtListener. June 10, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  38. ^ "Order Assigning Defendant Pro Per Status (United States v. Larson)" (PDF). CourtListener. June 10, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  39. ^ "MINUTES (Text Only) for proceedings held before District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston: STATUS CONFERENCE as to Nathan Daniel Larson held on 3/31/2022. The defendant Nathan Daniel Larson refused to wear mask in the courtroom. The Court is appointing counsel Peter Jones as counsel of record. Pro se status will be updated forthwith". CourtListener. March 30, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  40. ^ Palma, Sky (January 24, 2023). "Ex-politician and pedophile advocate dies by 'self-starvation' in Arizona prison". Raw Story. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
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