US soldier accused of planning neo-Nazi attack on unit in Turkey pleads not guilty

The soldier allegedly sought to help recruit local jihadists in Turkey carry out an attack on a US military facility.
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta (L) performs a swearing-in ceremony to re-enlist four troops during his visit to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, on December 14, 2012. The United States will deploy two Patriot missile batteries to Turkey along with 400 troops to help defend its ally against potential threats from neighbouring Syria, US officials said on December 14. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Susan Walsh (Photo credit should read SUSAN WALSH/AFP via Getty Images)
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta (L) performs a swearing-in ceremony to re-enlist four troops during his visit to Incirlik airbase, Turkey, on Dec. 14, 2012. - SUSAN WALSH/AFP via Getty Images
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Jared Szuba
@JM_Szuba

A US Army soldier charged last month with conspiring with members of an occult neo-Nazi network to attack his own unit during an upcoming deployment to Turkey has pled not guilty, prosecutors said.

Twenty-two-year-old Ethan Melzer of Louisville, Kentucky, entered his plea on Monday.

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