Hawzah News Agency - (Rochester, US) - Thomas Alonzo Bolin, 22 of Greece, faces a charge of making a false statement to the FBI, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Bolin was charged Wednesday.

The case began as federal authorities were investigating Bolin's cousin for threats made following the March mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. Fifty people died in the shootings.

Bolin's cousin, Austin Witkowski, called for a reenactment of the Christchurch attacks in the U.S. during a Facebook conversation and made threats about a potential attack in Baltimore, investigators said. He was later arrested and FBI agents soon showed up to interview Bolin about his conversations with Witkowski.

Bolin admitted sharing video of the Christchurch attacks and a link to the gunman's manifesto, but denied possessing any firearms while in New York when he was asked about it, according to court records. Investigators said they later found a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition during a search of a bedroom and storage closet Bolin was renting.

Agents also said they uncovered a photo of Bolin on Facebook holding the gun.

Bolin told agents he didn't hate Muslims, but wants them out of the country because he believes they are contributing to a corruption of his culture. He also said he never suggested hurting anyone, despite Facebook posts depicting violence aimed at Muslims, according to court records.

Bolin was a member of at least four different Facebook groups that promoted white supremacy, investigators said.