A former Las Vegas police detective, Robert "Bobby" Kinch, is now reportedly leading a Utah-based spinoff of the far-right Oath Keepers group. This development comes as Kinch, president of Northbridge Patriots LLC – which holds the trademarks for Oath Keepers USA – faces scrutiny stemming from his past inflammatory rhetoric and alleged stockpiling of weapons.
Kinch's leadership position emerged after an undercover operative's documentation of evidence, including photographs of materials showcasing Kinch's military-style presence and inflammatory statements. The operative infiltrated far-right groups in the western United States, gaining insight into Kinch's activities.
These materials include plaques celebrating Kinch's police service, a state leader membership certificate for Oath Keepers Utah, and a disturbing quote from Ernest Hemingway, indicative of a focus on violent conflict. Further, reports suggest Kinch amassed significant weaponry and provisions for extended periods of self-sufficiency.
Previously, colleagues discovered inflammatory Facebook posts from Kinch's time at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. These postings, including a statement expressing a desire for "race war, Civil, Revolution," sparked internal investigations and raised significant concerns about Kinch's extremist views.
A further internal investigation revealed a photograph of Kinch, while on duty, pointing a handgun at a Barack Obama commemorative plate, nearly leading to a federal raid. Despite this, he was allowed to remain on the force, and later launched a discrimination case alleging retaliation for testifying in a 2015 discrimination lawsuit. He ultimately retired in 2016.
The Oath Keepers, a national group claiming thousands of members, including former military and police personnel, maintains a focus on defending constitutional liberties. Multiple members of the group were involved in the January 6th Capitol riot and have subsequently faced seditious conspiracy charges. Donald Trump's recent suggestion to pardon those implicated in January 6th-related offenses has further ignited debate about the future of these cases.
The emergence of Kinch's leadership of the Utah spinoff highlights the continued activity and evolution of far-right groups, potentially posing a new challenge to national security and legal proceedings.
