Venice Man Sentenced for Weapons and Hate Crimes Tied to Terror Group

Venice, Florida, USA - In a striking turn of events, Alexander Lightner, a 27-year-old man from Venice, Florida, has been sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison following his involvement in a sinister online group known as the „Terrorgram Collective.“ This group promotes white supremacist ideologies and advocates for violence with the aim of instigating a race war to establish a white ethnostate. U.S. District Judge William F. Jung delivered the sentence after Lightner entered a guilty plea on March 11, 2025, a decision that followed a comprehensive investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Lightner’s sinister intentions came to light through disturbing posts made in a Terrorgram chat on December 29, 2023. In these communications, he expressed a desire to commit violent actions, using phrases like “2024 there shall be saints” — a reference to individuals who have engaged in hate-fueled violence within white supremacist circles — and “Highscore shall be defeated,” suggesting plans to surpass prior violent incidents in terms of casualties. Just days later, federal agents executed a search warrant at Lightner’s residence, uncovering alarming items, including a firearm silencer, numerous firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and a copy of Adolf Hitler’s „Mein Kampf.“ They also discovered extremist literature glorifying past perpetrators of white supremacist violence, showcasing a deeply troubling mindset.

The Threat of White Supremacist Violence

The investigation into Lightner’s activities highlights a broader, urgent issue: the threat posed by white supremacist violence in America. As pointed out by the California Law Review, this type of violence accounts for a majority of terrorist incidents in the U.S. between 1994 and 2020. Events such as the Charlottesville rally, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, and the El Paso shooting formulated a pattern of fear-driven violence stemming from white supremacist ideologies, especially concerning the notion of „white replacement.“ In light of these facts, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security acknowledge white supremacists as significant domestic threats, particularly in the aftermath of incidents like the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

It’s clear, however, that there has been a historical disparity in how various forms of political violence are classified. While Muslims are often labeled as terrorists, white supremacist offenders have been dismissed as „whacked out kids,“ leading to an alarming lack of urgency in addressing their violent tendencies. As the national dialogue evolves, there is a pressing need for a reexamination of how we frame and address white supremacist violence, which is often considered as a civil rights issue rather than a public safety concern. There is something to be said for finding community-centered solutions, rather than simply emphasizing punitive measures.

Lightner’s case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked extremist ideologies, fueling the debate on how best to combat these threats and protect our communities. The escalating rhetoric and the underlying motivations behind such white supremacist violence not only endanger lives but also challenge the very fabric of American society, where diversity and acceptance should reign supreme.

As we reflect on these issues, it becomes increasingly critical that local communities unite against the tide of hate and violence, supporting one another in the spirit of inclusivity and understanding. The collective fight against such ideology is not just a legal battle but a moral one, demanding our attention and action.

For more details, see the reports from TampaFP and WGCU.