Torrance Man Connected to Supremacist Group Sentenced to Prison
Introduction to the Case
A onetime member of a now-defunct Southern California white supremacist group was sentenced Thursday in downtown Los Angeles to three years and one month behind bars for inciting brawls at political rallies across the state eight years ago.
The Conviction
Robert Boman, 32, of Torrance, was convicted in March in Los Angeles federal court of two counts: conspiracy to violate the anti-riot act and rioting, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Background of the Group
Prosecutors told the jury that beginning around February 2017, Boman participated in a racist organization that presented itself on social media as a “combat-ready, militant group of a new nationalist identity movement.”
Robert Boman punches a counter-protester at a political rally in Berkeley on April 15, 2017, federal authorities say, beside fellow alleged RAM members, including Aaron Eason and Michael Miselis. (Photo via Department of Justice)
Activities of the Group
The defendant and his associates used the internet to post videos and pictures of themselves conducting training in hand-to-hand combat, interspersed with pictures and video clips of themselves assaulting people at political events, accompanied by messages in support of a white supremacist ideology, evidence showed.
Description by the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center once described the group as a “racist fight club,” with members “often photographed in bloody confrontations with protesters.”
Incidents of Violence
The indictment states that Boman and his colleagues attended a number of peaceful protests, where they chased down and violently attacked counter-protesters. The rallies involved in the case were May 25, 2017, at Bolsa Chica Beach in Huntington Beach; April 15, 2017, in Berkeley; and June 10, 2017, in San Bernardino.
Convictions of Associates
Two associates of Boman were also convicted.
Robert Rundo’s Case
Robert Rundo, 35, formerly of Huntington Beach, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to one count of conspiracy to violate the federal anti-riot act. He was sentenced to two years behind bars, which he had already served at the time of sentencing.
Background of Rundo’s Guilty Plea
Rundo’s guilty plea came months after a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated a federal criminal indictment against Rundo and Boman.
Dismissal and Reinstatement of Indictment
The indictment had been dismissed twice by an Orange County federal judge who found that Boman and Rundo were selectively prosecuted in comparison with members of far-left groups like antifa, who also physically assaulted people representing opposing views at some of the rallies but were not charged with the same crimes.
9th Circuit Opinion
In the 9th Circuit opinion, a judge wrote that the opposing left- and right-wing groups were not similar enough to meet the required standard.
Tyler Laube’s Case
The third defendant, Tyler Laube, 29, of Redondo Beach pleaded guilty in October 2023 to punching a journalist several times and was fined $2,000 and sentenced to time served.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Robert Boman and the convictions of his associates mark a significant step in addressing violent acts perpetrated by supremacist groups. The case highlights the importance of enforcing laws against rioting and conspiracy, ensuring that those who engage in such activities are held accountable.
FAQs
Q: What was Robert Boman sentenced for?
A: Robert Boman was sentenced to three years and one month in prison for inciting brawls at political rallies and conspiracy to violate the anti-riot act.
Q: What group was Boman a part of?
A: Boman was a member of a now-defunct Southern California white supremacist group.
Q: How many associates of Boman were also convicted?
A: Two associates, Robert Rundo and Tyler Laube, were convicted in relation to the case.
Q: What was the basis for the dismissal and reinstatement of the indictment?
A: The indictment was initially dismissed due to claims of selective prosecution but was reinstated by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found that the groups in question were not similar enough for such a claim.
