NYPD Arrests 'Lone Wolf' Bomb Suspect | US Citizen Convert To Islam

November 20, 2011 - New York City - Police today said they had arrested a man who allegedly planned to blow up police vehicles, post offices and U.S. soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. A report by the Los Angeles Times says that NYPD said that one of his motives was to "protest U.S. military presence in those countries."

The man is Jose Pimentel, age 27, (top photo) a native of the Dominican Republic who converted to Islam. According to NYPD, Pimentel was in the process of constructing a pipe bomb when they arrested him. He had been on an FBI watch list for several years. (See press conference video below.)

Authorities recently stepped up their surveillance of Pimentel after September 30. That's when Anwar Awlaki(photo right) was killed by a U.S. drone missile strike in Yemem. Pimentel is said to have been greatly influenced by Awlaki.  CBS News has posted the entire criminal complaint against Jose Pimentel. According to a CBS report about Pimentel, "The complaint reveals the Pimentel made numerous incriminating statements to a confidential informant during a 12-month investigation. On Sept. 7, Pimentel allegedly told the informant he was interested building small bombs targeting government or police buildings and banks. Three weeks later, he allegedly gave the informant a flash drives containing two bomb-making manuals."

The full press release from Mayor Bloomberg's office:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 416-11
November 20, 2011

MAYOR BLOOMBERG, POLICE COMMISSIONER KELLY AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY VANCE UPDATE NEW YORKERS ON ARREST OF SUSPECT IN TERROR CASE

The following are Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s remarks as delivered at City Hall tonight

“Good evening. I’m joined by Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance.

“Yesterday afternoon, New York City police officers arrested a 27-year-old Al Qaeda sympathizer who was plotting to bomb police patrol cars and also postal facilities, as well as target members of our Armed Forces returning from abroad.

“Jose Pimentel of Washington Heights, which is in the northern end of Manhattan, faces terrorism-related charges that District Attorney Vance will discuss in a moment.

“Earlier today, I also described this case to U.S. Congressman Pete King, the chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, who has long been a champion of Federal support for the NYPD’s counter-terrorism efforts.

“The NYPD Intelligence Division did outstanding work in tracking this individual and containing the threat he posed to the city. The police also constructed a duplicate of an explosive device that the suspect built, and then detonated it in a way that he intended to use his weapon. We wanted to show you a video about the resulting damage.

“I should point out that our staff briefed the Governor’s staff on this earlier this evening, and I’ve asked Commissioner Kelly to discuss this case in greater detail. But first, let me make these observations.

“The suspect was a so-called lone wolf, motivated by his own resentment of the presence of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as inspired by Al Qaeda propaganda. He was not part of a larger conspiracy emanating from abroad. He represents exactly the kind of threat FBI Director Robert Mueller and his experts have warned about, as American military and intelligence agencies have eroded Al Qaeda's ability to launch large-scale attacks.

“This case is also reminiscent of another lone wolf plot in 2004 in which two New Yorkers angry over the treatment of prisoners in Iraq plotted to bomb the Herald Square subway station. Like the current case, the Herald Square plot was uncovered by the NYPD Intelligence Division.

“And as with still another case earlier this year in which a lone wolf plotted to attack a large synagogue, the NYPD teamed-up with the Manhattan District Attorney's office to prosecute Pimentel under State terrorism-related statutes.

“Whether launched by lone wolves, Al Qaeda, or Al Qaeda affiliates, there have been at least 13 previous terrorist plots since 9/11 targeting New York City. This would be the fourteenth.

“Because of such repeated threats, the NYPD remains focused on preventing another terrorist attack. We assign a thousand officers to counter-terrorism duties every single day. This is just another case where our precautions paid off."

FBI Thwarts Plot to Attack U.S. Capitol With Model Airplanes

September 28, 2011 - Rezwan Ferdaus, 26, of Ashland, Massachusetts, was arrested today in Framingham on federal charges that he planned to attack the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol with radio controlled model airplanes that would have been carrying C-4 plastic explosives and hand grenades. According to The Taunton Daily Gazette, the U.S. Department of Justice also accused Rezwan Ferdaus of "attempting to provide support and resources to al Qaeda so it could attack U.S. soldiers overseas."

The NYDailyNews.com reports that "Ferdaus had been under surveillance by the FBI since March. The Northeastern University physics grad, an American citizen, had vowed to commit violent 'jihad' against the United States as far back as early 2010, according to a federal complaint."

The Daily News also reports that Ferdaus was arrested this morning "after he obtained 25-pounds of C-4 explosives, three grenades and six automatic AK-47 assault rifles from FBI agents posing as Al Qaeda operatives."

The model planes that Ferdaus allegedly planned to use to bomb the Capitol and other buildings in Washington, D.C. were radio controlled scale models of F-4 Phantom and F-86 Sabre planes. Such models can be purchased from suppliers such as NitroPlanes.com.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the authorities describe the model planes as being "about one-tenth the size of real aircraft and measured up to 80 inches in length, with wingspans of up to 63 inches" and that Ferdaus "planned to control them using GPS devices, U.S. authorities alleged." WSJ also reports that "U.S. authorities didn't say how they came to investigate Mr. Ferdaus. FBI and other counterterrorism investigators are known to monitor Internet forums where jihadist sympathizers gather."

"Like other recent cases involving alleged terror plots against US targets," reports the Christian Science Monitor, "this one was thwarted through the use of undercover FBI agents and cooperating witnesses. And as with other such cases, it was the suspect’s own words that gave law enforcement officials what they believe to be an easy case to prosecute."  Ferdaus is a U.S. citizen.

One such example is John Francis Lechner, who is being held without bond on charges of illegally possessing more than 4,000 pounds of explosives and making violent threats against the U.S. government.

'We Will Be Mercenaries' With Two Tons of Explosives

September 28, 2011 - A man from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan was in U.S. District Court in Marquette Thursday "on charges of possessing explosives," reports the Marquette Mining Journal. "John Francis Lechner, 64, has been charged with possessing explosives while under indictment on other charges, a 10-year felony." Lechner is also accused of making threats of violence against the U.S. government. He is being held without bond.

Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco agents arrested Lechner and charged him with possession of 4,150 pounds of explosives contained in 83 bags. "According to an affidavit from a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives," says the Marquette Mining Journal report, "the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department received a call from a confidential informant that Lechner allegedly had a large amount of ammonium nitrate/fuel oil mix. The affidavit states the informant, who was cooperating with law enforcement and wearing surveillance equipment, allegedly helped Lechner hide the material at a location in Dafter."

Talking Points Memo is reporting that a complaint from ATF Special Agent Timothy DeClaire, on September 20, said that "a confidential informant contacted the Chippewa County Undersheriff Michael Bitnar, and described how Lechner allegedly said he had 'a large quantity of ammonium nitrate/fuel oil mix,' or ANFO, and that he needed help moving it.... Lechner also allegedly said that he had detonating cord, blasting caps ad boosters."

The informant reportedly wore a wire while he helped Lechner move the explosives. At one point, the informant asked Lechner what he planned to do with the ANFO. Lechner's alleged response was, "When the government takes over, we will be mercenaries."

(AP Photo/Marquette County Sheriffs Department)