Neo-Nazi leader gets 5 years for having explosive material

TAMPA, Fla. – Federal prosecutors said Brandon Russell is a dangerous Neo-Nazi leader who had lethal bomb-making materials in his Florida apartment.

His mother and grandmother called him a follower who liked to please his friends.

At the end of a four-hour court hearing Tuesday, a federal judge in Tampa sentenced Russell to five years in prison, saying she has to protect the public -- while hoping Russell doesn't fall in with the wrong group of people while in prison.

"It's a difficult case," said US District Judge Susan Bucklew to the defendant, who wore orange jail clothes and appeared to have a bloom of acne on his neck. "You seem like a very smart young man."