True Crime Garage: "Hate American Made — The White Supremacist" Episode Summary

Release Date: April 1, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this gripping episode of True Crime Garage, hosts Nick and Captain delve deep into the life and crimes of Richard Wayne Snell, a notorious white supremacist whose extremist activities spanned decades. The episode, titled "Hate American Made — The White Supremacist," unpacks Snell's journey from his early affiliations to his eventual downfall, providing listeners with a comprehensive look into the mind of a hate-driven criminal.

2. Understanding Hate and White Supremacy

The episode begins with an analytical discussion on the nature of hate, emphasizing that it is a learned behavior rather than an innate emotion. Captain elucidates:

"Hate is actually a learned behavior shaped by factors like fear, anger, and social conditioning... Hate often stems from the idea that certain groups should have power or control over others."
[02:00]

This foundational understanding sets the stage for exploring how hate fuels extremist ideologies and actions.

3. Profile of Richard Wayne Snell

Richard Wayne Snell, born on May 21, 1930, in either Iowa or Oklahoma, is introduced as a man whose life was deeply entrenched in white supremacist beliefs. Despite his early training in ministry, Snell never pursued a conventional career, instead immersing himself in extremist organizations. Captain provides insight into Snell's background:

"Snell was too warped and wrapped up in his nefarious activities to hold down a conventional 9 to 5 job."
[05:09]

Snell's personal life, including his marriage to Mary Jo Snell and their three children, remains largely obscured, overshadowed by his extremist pursuits.

4. Snell’s Activities and Extremist Affiliations

Snell was a prominent member of several white supremacist groups, most notably the Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord (CSA). His affiliations extended to Elohim City, a secluded enclave in Oklahoma known for harboring various hate groups. Nick highlights Snell's deep-rooted involvement:

"Snell was a believer in what some call Christian identity... he became an avowed white separatist."
[07:15]

These affiliations provided Snell with a network of like-minded individuals, facilitating his criminal endeavors and extremist activities.

5. The Mena Airport Conspiracy

One of the more intriguing aspects of Snell's activities was his suspicion of the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport in Arkansas. Snell believed the CIA was using the airport for illegal drug smuggling operations. Captain recounts:

"Richard Snell was ahead of the curve as he was very suspicious of a potential government-sanctioned drug smuggling operation years prior."
[10:30]

Despite his claims, official investigations, including a report by the CIA's inspector general, found no evidence of illicit activities at the airport. Snell's accusations extended to high-profile figures like then-Governor Bill Clinton, alleging a massive government cover-up—a claim that lacked substantiation.

6. Plans to Attack Federal Buildings

Snell's anti-government sentiments culminated in elaborate plans to overthrow the U.S. government. Alongside associates like James Ellison and Steve Scott, Snell devised schemes to assassinate federal officials and bomb key government buildings. Nick draws parallels between Snell's plans and the infamous 9/11 attacks:

"Richard Snell and the guys at Elohim City... it's really serious stuff because their plan is... to assassinate a few high up officials... and to blow up some of these federal buildings."
[44:34]

Their blueprint included the design of rocket launchers intended to devastate the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. However, a failed practice run, where a rocket launcher malfunctioned, led Snell and his cohorts to interpret the incident as divine intervention, prompting them to abandon their plans.

7. The 1984 Shooting of Officer Bryant

In 1984, Snell's violent tendencies culminated in the tragic shooting of Officer Lewis Bryant, an African American state trooper in Arkansas. Captain narrates the harrowing event:

"When the trooper approached Snell's vehicle, Snell got out and shot him multiple times... Officer Bryant was a young man with a young family."
[36:34]

A witness, a trucker, pursued Snell to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, leading to a gunbattle. Snell was critically injured, sustaining six gunshot wounds, but survived and was subsequently arrested. The incident underscored the lethal consequences of Snell's hatred and extremist beliefs.

8. Snell’s Trial and Conviction

Snell faced multiple charges, including the murder of Officer Bryant and the earlier killing of William Stump, a pawn shop owner whom Snell murdered during a robbery in 1983. The trial was swift:

"One of the trials lasted three days, and the jury only deliberated for a mere 15 minutes before convicting him."
[63:14]

With testimonies from Snell's former associates, who received reduced sentences in exchange for cooperating, the jury recommended the death penalty. Despite appeals citing procedural errors, Snell's conviction and death sentence were upheld, sealing his fate.

9. Conclusion

The episode concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of Snell's actions and the pervasive threat of extremist ideologies. Captain emphasizes the importance of law enforcement's role in apprehending such individuals:

"How many more people would he have killed... How many lives would this dude have taken out?"
[60:48]

Nick and Captain underscore the necessity of vigilance and the relentless pursuit of justice to prevent hate-fueled crimes from tarnishing society.

Notable Quotes

• Captain on hate as a learned behavior:

  "Hate is actually a learned behavior shaped by factors like fear, anger, and social conditioning... Hate often stems from the idea that certain groups should have power or control over others."
  [02:00]

• Nick on Snell's neglect of presenting evidence:

  "But the problem with Snell's story here is... he has never produced this footage to show anybody."
  [14:30]

• Captain on Snell's distrust of government:

  "Snell was driven by hatred and white separatism. He was determined to commit heinous crimes."
  [20:28]

• Nick on the consequences of extremist actions:

  "Either way, the guy's evil. Pile of shit."
  [62:56]

Final Thoughts

"Hate American Made — The White Supremacist" serves as a sobering exploration of how entrenched hate and extremist ideologies can drive individuals to commit heinous crimes. Through meticulous research and poignant discussions, True Crime Garage sheds light on the dark corridors of white supremacy, offering listeners both awareness and cautionary tales of the depths of human malice.

For more true crime stories and in-depth analyses, visit True Crime Garage and subscribe to stay updated on upcoming episodes.