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Man who discussed Dylann Roof attack set to be in court

Man who discussed Dylann Roof attack set to be in court

A white supremacist who authorities say illegally bought a gun he planned to use in an attack similar to the South Carolina church shootings is scheduled to appear in court.

A preliminary hearing for 29-year-old Benjamin McDowell is set for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in federal court in Florence.

The FBI says McDowell told an undercover agent he wanted to buy a gun for an attack in "the spirit of Dylann Roof."

Roof was sentenced to death last month for a racist shooting that killed nine black worshippers at a Charleston church.

McDowell couldn't legally own a gun because of a felony burglary conviction. Authorities say he didn't give a specific target for an attack.

FBI agents say they arrested McDowell last week after he bought the gun for $109 from the undercover agent.

Jeffrey Collins, The Associated Press