An undercover police operation stopped a plot by members of an anti-government movement to kidnap and execute police officers , Las Vegas police said Thursday . Following a four-month investigation , police arrested roommates David Allen Brutsche , 42 , and Devon Campbell Newman , 67 . `` As the investigation progressed , we became aware that these two individuals were extremists in their beliefs and were actively plotting to kidnap and kill at least one southern Nevada police officer , '' said Lt. Jim Seebock with the department 's counterterrorism Section . Their plan did not single out a particular officer or law enforcment agency , but was to be a `` target of opportunity , '' Seebock said . `` The suspects further believed once the first kidnapping and execution was accomplished , they would be compelled to keep repeating their actions -- kidnapping and killing multiple officers , '' he said . During a sting operation , police said both Brutsche and Newman espoused the views of the sovereign citizens movement , which the FBI characterizes as `` a growing domestic threat to law enforcement '' and considers it `` a domestic terrorist movement . '' The movement does not recognize the authority of federal , state or local governments . FBI : 'Sovereign citizens ' fraudulently taking over foreclosed homes . `` Sovereign Citizen is an ideology which in and of itself is fine , '' Seebock said . `` It 's when they profess that ideology in conjunction with criminal acts in violation of laws or to further their criminal acts ( that ) they come on our radar . '' Authorities have charged the pair with conspiracy to commit murder , conspiracy to commit kidnapping and attempted first degree kidnapping with use of a weapon . Police say additional arrests and charges are possible in the ongoing investigation .
The FBI considers `` sovereign citizens '' a `` domestic terrorist movement '' The movement does not recognize the authority of the governments . The two suspects were arrested after a four-month string operation . In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, President Obama said he was "confident" that federal authorities would find those responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing.