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Man who discussed attack remains in jail

FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — Benjamin McDowell will remain in jail for at least a little while after the FBI said the convicted felon wanted to buy a gun to use in a hate crime similar to the South Carolina church shootings two years ago.

McDowell’s lawyer told a judge in Florence on Tuesday that the man federal agents called a white supremacist didn’t want a bond hearing now on a charge of being a felon in possession of a weapon.

McDowell’s lawyer also decided not to have a preliminary hearing where the judge would decide if the government did have enough evidence to charge him.

Authorities first began investigating McDowell in December when he threatened a Myrtle Beach synagogue on Facebook. Local officials were already keeping tabs on him.

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