ND white supremacist losing support

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — One of the nation's most prominent white separatists is distancing himself from another white supremacist who faces terrorizing charges for allegedly threatening residents of the North Dakota town he's trying to turn into an Aryan enclave.

Tom Metzger tells The Associated Press he is returning property in Leith that Craig Cobb deeded to him.

Metzger, who is a former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan and founder of the White Aryan Resistance, says he likes Cobb but disagrees with his methods. He says Cobb is too controversial.

The 62-year-old Cobb and another man are accused of terrorizing people with guns over the weekend.

They said they were patrolling Leith because of violence and harassment directed at them. The two are being held in Stanton without bond.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

A white supremacist who wants to turn a small southwestern North Dakota town into an Aryan enclave is representing himself against terrorizing charges, while his younger friend who was also charged has asked for a public defender.

Craig Cobb, 62, and Kynan Dutton, 29, are accused of terrorizing people in Leith with guns over the weekend. They said they were patrolling the town because of violence and harassment directed at them, including vandalism to their property.

They have been ordered held without bond on seven felony terrorizing counts. They each could face a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 35 years if convicted. Their next court appearances have not been scheduled.

Cobb moved to Leith about 1 ½ years ago. He has bought a home and 12 other lots and is encouraging others with white power views to move there and help him take control of the community that had 23 residents before he arrived. He has posted racial signs and white power flags on his property.

Many area residents want Cobb gone. The City Council has been updating ordinances that will force him to upgrade his house, which has no running water or sewer, and will prevent others from living in campers or trailers on land that Cobb owns.

Cobb has accused the city of discrimination and said he is pursuing a civil rights complaint with the state.