An alleged enforcer for a white supremacist organization has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

The suspect was picked up while sleeping in a vehicle parked at the Texaco Food Mart convenience store along U.S. Highway 218 South in Austin. Inside the vehicle was a loaded handgun with the serial number filed off.

Joe Daniel Robinson, 29, was indicted Wednesday in Mower County District Court for possession of a loaded 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol.

Robinson, who has felony convictions for first-degree robbery, battery on a police officer and third degree assault, is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

He has a criminal history dating back to 1991.

"He was a muscle-man for the Inland Empire and had roots in Sacramento and Stockton, Calif., before he came here," said Patrick Flanagan, Assistant Mower County Attorney.

Flanagan has worked with state and federal agents on the Robinson case since the suspect's arrest this fall in Austin.

The Peckerwood chapter of the Inland Empire has been linked to two mid-summer incidents in northwest Austin, where stabbings occurred. Police said in one incident, a group of 10-15 alleged members attacked a bi-racial gathering at a northwest Austin residence. Three people were stabbed. No arrests have been made.

"We're pleased he is gone from our community," said Austin Police Chief Paul M. Philipp today after Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents took custody of Robinson and transported him to Minneapolis, where Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Paulsen will prosecute him on federal charges.

Philipp said, "We hope it sends the appropriate message to other bad guys out there like him."

If convicted, Robinson faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com