Know your Enemy on Domestic Terrorism.

They are not muslims, either Undocumented Immigrants, neither Mexicans.

Two Plead Guilty to Bombing U.S. Courthouse in San Diego

United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Ella Louise Sanders pled guilty today in federal court in San Diego before the Honorable Margaret M.. McKeown to one count of possession and use of a destructive device to commit a crime of violence, to wit: conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). As part of her guilty plea, Sanders admitted that she conspired with others to construct and detonate a series of pipe bombs, including the bombs used against the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Courthouse in San Diego on May 4, 2008, and a Federal Express distribution center in San Diego on April 25, 2008.

In her plea, Sanders admitted that she purchased explosive material and stole pipes for the purpose of constructing pipe bombs. Sanders admitted that she and a co-conspirator constructed two pipe bombs, which were then used against the Federal Express distribution center on 47th Street in San Diego on April 25, 2008. Sanders also admitted that, on May 3, 2008, she helped the co-conspirator construct three more pipe bombs. The next day, Sanders helped the co-conspirator conceal her identity shortly before the conspirator detonated three pipe bombs at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Courthouse.

On September 25, 2008, Eric Robinson pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Peter C. Lewis to the same conspiracy charge as Sanders. Robinson’s guilty plea was entered subject to final acceptance by Judge McKeown. Today, Judge McKeown formally accepted Robinson’s guilty plea. Robinson is scheduled to appear before Judge McKeown in federal court in San Diego for sentencing on June 15, 2009 and Sanders is scheduled for sentencing on August 3, 2009, both at 9:30 a.m.

DEFENDANTS
Criminal Case No. 08-CR-1895-MMM
Ella Louise Sanders
Eric Reginald Robinson

SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c) - Possession of a Destructive Device in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Maximum penalties: Not less than 30 years in prison

U.S. find no Al Qaeda Links in Mexico

Mexico says it has arrested 12 people on terrorism charges in the years since the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S., but an official said none were linked to Muslim extremist groups like al-Qaida nor were any planning to strike in the United States.

Officials from both nations say there hasn't been any sign of the southern U.S. border becoming an entry point for terrorists, as had been feared after the suicide jetliner hijackings that struck New York and Washington.

The Mexican government revealed the 12 arrests to The Associated Press this week in response to a public information request seeking details of any terrorism arrests in the last seven years. The request was made in February.

Many Americans feared Islamic terrorists from al-Qaida might try to slip into the United States by linking up with the criminal gangs and drug cartels that control large swaths of Mexico and smuggle drugs and migrants across the border.

Months after the 2001 attack, President Bush pushed Mexico to increase security. "We need to use our technology to make sure that we weed out those who we don't want in our country, the terrorists, the 'coyotes,' the smugglers, those that prey on innocent life," he said.

Asked whether Mexico's 12 terrorism arrests were linked to plots against the United States, an official at the Mexican Attorney General's office said none "had anything to do with that."

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because she wasn't authorized to be quoted by name, said those detained had links to Basque militants in Spain or were involved in radical domestic activities in Mexico.

Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said Friday the U.S. continually works with Mexico to ensure terrorists don't turn to Mexico and so far there is no evidence that has happened.

"There's no indication that there's been a direct al-Qaida presence in Mexico," he said. "But there certainly have been individuals that present security concerns."

He wouldn't elaborate, but one of the U.S. government's recent worries has been smuggling networks moving East African migrants through Latin America and into the U.S. Two such smugglers operating in Mexico and Belize were arrested last year.

In a speech Wednesday on international terrorism threats, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the biggest threat in Mexico is likely the powerful drug trade, in which gangs target both police and civilians and often behead their enemies.

"These enterprises may currently be criminal enterprises, but we cannot rule out the possibility in the future that they may take on a more political coloration," he said.

The U.S. has dramatically increased border security, adding fencing and border agents and monitoring more closely those who cross at border stations.

Mexico also has become much more vigilant of foreigners entering both legally and illegally.

Many people from Muslim countries now have trouble getting visas to visit Mexico, and officials have arrested dozens of Christian Iraqis who fled violence in their homeland and tried to sneak into Southern California through Mexico.

Thomas Sanderson, deputy director of the transnational threats project at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said al-Qaida usually sends its members through Europe because, unlike Mexico, citizens of those countries can enter U.S. territory without a visa.

"We are more likely to see people come in through airplanes," he said.

He also doubts al-Qaida operatives would expose themselves to organized crime or smuggling groups in Mexico. "They'd be concerned that their cover or their effort would be exposed. It's unfamiliar territory for them," he said.

Pressed to discuss the 12 peopled arrested, the Mexican official would say only that five were Spaniards linked to the Basque separatist group ETA and that seven were Mexicans detained in domestic cases.

She said the purported ETA members were living in Mexico to help finance the group's operations in the Basque region of northern Spain and were not planning attacks.

The official said some of the seven Mexican suspects were tied to murky domestic militant groups that have planted crude bombs at banks, government offices and oil pipelines across Mexico in recent years.

None of those attacks caused human casualties but several of the pipeline attacks had a big financial impact by interrupting fuel supplies to major industries.

Fraudulent U.S. Passport and the dysfunctionality of the system.

Diplomatic Security Investigation Results in 112,Suspects Charged with Federal Passport Fraud

The Investigation Resulted in the Seizure of $650,000 and the Recovery of 80 Fraudulently Issued United States Passports.

The individuals charged included fugitives, military deserters, delinquent taxpayers, parolees, convicted felons, sex-offenders, habitual drunk drivers from over 20 countries. All wanted U.S. passports for the purpose of hiding from law enforcement authorities. Many of the individuals charged resided and worked in their deceased identities for decades, and in many cases their neighbors, employers, spouses and children never knew them by their true names.

Between July 2005 and August 2008, 112 individuals were charged with federal passport fraud and related offenses around the country. The government also seized three firearms, $650,000 in cash, one Mercedes automobile, and over 80 of the fraudulently obtained United States passports.

During their investigation, Diplomatic Security and FBI agents cross-matched computerized government death records with Department of State passport records. This process identified individuals who fraudulently applied for, and obtained, United States passports using birth certificates of deceased Americans. Continue reading here: FBI

Again ICE preventing Terror from Abroad but creating TERROR from Within

The largest single-workplace immigration raid in U.S. history has caused panic among Hispanic families in this small southern Mississippi town, where federal agents rounded up nearly 600 plant workers suspected of being in the country Undocumented.

One worker caught in Monday's sweep at the Howard Industries transformer plant said fellow workers applauded as immigrants were taken into custody. Federal officials said a tip from a union member prompted them to start investigating several years ago.

Fabiola Pena, 21, cradled her 2-year-old daughter as she described a chaotic scene at the plant as the raid began, followed by clapping.

"I was crying the whole time. I didn't know what to do," Pena said. "We didn't know what was happening because everyone started running. Some people thought it was a bomb but then we figured out it was immigration."

About 100 of those detained were released for humanitarian reasons, many of them mothers who were fitted with electronic monitoring bracelets and allowed to go home to their children, officials said.

Another 475 workers were transferred to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Jena, La. Nine who were under 18 were transferred to the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

John Foxworth, an attorney representing some of the immigrants, said eight appeared in federal court in Hattiesburg on Tuesday because they face criminal charges for allegedly using false Social Security and residency identification.

He said the raid was traumatic for families.

"There was no communication, an immediate loss of any kind of news and a lack of understanding of what's happening to their loved ones," he said. "A complete and utter feeling of helplessness."

The superintendent of the county school district said about half of the district's approximately 160 Hispanic students were absent Tuesday.

Roberto Velez, pastor at Iglesia Cristiana Peniel, where an estimated 30 to 40 percent the 200 parishioners were caught up in the raid, said that's because parents were afraid immigration officials would take them.

"They didn't send their kids to school today," he said. "How scared is that?"
Those detained were from Brazil, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Peru, said Barbara Gonzalez, an ICE spokeswoman.

Elizabeth Alegria, 26, a Mexican immigrant, was working at the plant Monday when ICE agents stormed in. When they found out she has two sons, ages 4 and 9, she was fitted with a bracelet and told to appear in federal court next month. Her husband, Andres, was not so lucky.

"I'm very traumatized because I don't know if they are going to let my husband go and when I will see him," Elizabeth Alegria said through a translator Tuesday as she returned to the Howard Industries parking lot to retrieve her sport utility vehicle.

"We have kids without dads and pregnant mothers who got their husbands taken away," said Velez's son, Robert, youth pastor at the church. "It was like a horror story. They got handled like they were criminals."

Howard Industries is in Mississippi's Pine Belt region, known for commercial timber growth and chicken processing plants. The tech company produces dozens of products ranging from electrical transformers to medical supplies, according to its Web site.

Gonzalez said agents had executed search warrants at both the plant and the company headquarters in nearby Ellisville. She said no company executives had been detained, but this is an "ongoing investigation and yesterday's action was just the first part."

A woman at the Ellisville headquarters told The Associated Press on Tuesday that no one was available to answer questions.

In a statement to the Laurel Leader-Call newspaper, Howard Industries said the company "runs every check allowed to ascertain the immigration status of all applicants for its jobs."

"It is company policy that it hires only U.S. citizens and legal immigrants," the statement said.

The Mississippi raid is one of several nationwide in recent years.

On May 12, federal immigration officials swept into Agriprocessors, the nation's largest kosher meatpacking plant, in Iowa. Nearly 400 workers were detained and dozens of fraudulent permanent resident alien cards were seized from the plant's human resources department, according to court records. In December 2006, 1,297 were arrested at Swift meatpacking plants in Nebraska and five other states.

ICE Preventing Terror from abroad but creating Terror from within

The lives of Amal and Jasmine Suleiman were changed forever. At the crack of dawn in what can only be described as a SWAT style paramilitary operation, officers from Immigration Customs Enforcement {ICE} stormed the home of the twin sisters. The twins were born in Texas on July 9, 2001.

Suddenly the twins were forced to view automatic weapons being pointed at their parents and brother. Strange men were seen yelling at the top of their lungs. Their otherwise clean home was being messed up by these strangers. Used to their mother dressing them, they did not know what to think when their older brother helped them get dressed. The twins had never seen their parents cry and they had great fear as both father and mother were crying. But nothing prepared them for the sight of seeing their father and brother handcuffed like criminals.

The twins had no idea as they left their home that morning that they were but a few hours from even more terror. Despite being told by ICE that the family would remain together, the twins were told they could not stay with their parents or brother. Each family member was given a few minutes with the twins to say goodbye before they were ushered out of the holding area. The twins were now screaming at the top of their lungs. They did not want to go.

Their Uncle was kind enough to take the twins into his home. Otherwise the twins would have been placed with Child Protective Services and put in foster care. They were scared and wanted to be with their parents and brother. This did not happen for the next 60 days. When they were united the joy was short as the twins learned they were moving to Jordan. All the twins wanted to do was to go to their home in Arlington, Texas.

The twins were told everything would be OK for them in Jordan. False promises for the twins, because they were citizens of the United States who had grown up and gone to school in an orderly society. The forced separation is still fresh in the minds of the twins. The twins refuse to leave the side of their parents for any reason. This includes going outside to play.

The twins clearly remember the words of ICE telling their parents how if the parents fought deportation the children would be put up for adoption. Mother and Father were kept from one another and ICE told each parent a different story of what the other had said. The duress at this moment of time was unbearable. How does a parent cope with the idea of having to abandon their children? Is there any decent parent that would even contemplate such an idea?

Little children were being used to make sure the policy of the United States Government, whether right or wrong, was carried out. The concept enacted by Congress of “family unity” was being completely ignored. The Suleiman family concluded that the family must remain intact at all costs. No government was going to separate their family.

The United States Government was not concerned with the particulars of this family. All ICE cared about was getting this case closed. In the details lay the horrible truths of what was being done to this family.

This story has been played out thousands of times by ICE. Countless Citizens forced to exile their country of birth because of September 11, 2001. We were a kinder people before that time. We prevent terror from abroad by creating terror from within. Just ask Amal and Jasmine Suleiman

Know your Enemy on Domestic Terrorism. Apparent suicide in the Amerithrax case.


top government scientist who helped the FBI analyze samples from the 2001 anthrax attacks has died in Maryland from an apparent suicide, just as the Justice Department was about to file criminal charges against him for the attacks, the Los Angeles Times has learned.

Bruce E. Ivins, 62, who for the last 18 years worked at the government's elite biodefense research laboratories at Ft. Detrick, Md., had been informed of his impending prosecution, said people familiar with Ivins, his suspicious death and the FBI investigation.

Ivins, whose name had not been disclosed publicly as a suspect in the case, played a central role in research to improve anthrax vaccines by preparing anthrax formulations used in experiments on animals. Regarded as a skilled microbiologist, Ivins also helped the FBI analyze the powdery material recovered from one of the anthrax-tainted envelopes sent to a U.S. senator's office in Washington.

SEAL THE BORDER; KNOW YOUR ENEMY ON DOMESTIC TERRORISM.

GALVESTON COUNTY RESIDENT SENTENCED FOR ROLE IN 2006 TEXAS CITY EXPLOSION


Curtis Lee Jetton, 23, of LaMarque, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for aiding and abetting the manufacture of explosive materials without a license, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

At a hearing this morning, United States District Judge Vanessa Gilmore imposed the 27-month sentence followed by a three-year-term of supervised release. In explaining the sentence, Judge Gilmore noted the approximately five pounds of triacetonetriperoxide (TATP) found in Jetton’s apartment was the largest discovery ever reported in the United States .

She also stated that Jetton had used the TATP to make destructive devices, including one that was detonated underneath a van. Jetton will remain free on bond pending his surrender at a Bureau of Prisons facility.

Law enforcement discovered Jetton’s involvement in the manufacture of TATP after a July 19, 2006, explosion at the Lakeview Apartments in Texas City resulted in the death of Jetton’s roommate. According to information in the public record of this case, Jetton and his roommate began manufacturing TATP in October 2005. Jetton accompanied his roommate to Lowe’s and Sally’s Beauty Supply, where acetone, muriatic acid and other ingredients were purchased. Jetton then assisted his roommate in the manufacturing of TATP based on recipes obtained from the internet. The FBI found several pounds of TATP and some detonators in the apartment after the July 19th explosion.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregg Costa.

Guantanamo Detainees Face Mental Health Threat.



Human Rights Watch says more than two-thirds of the people held at the Guantanamo Bay prison are housed in inhumane conditions that could damage their mental health.

The New York-based group reported Tuesday that 185 of the 270 detainees at the U.S. military prison for terrorism suspects are kept in small, isolated cells and have limited human contact.

The report says even though some of the prisoners have not been charged with any crime or have been cleared for release or transfer, they are locked up for 22 hours a day with little or no natural light or fresh air. It says their two-hour recreation time is generally spent alone, often in the middle of the night.

The U.S. military has repeatedly said it treats the prisoners according to international standards.

The report also says the detainees have not been allowed family visits and few have been able to call home. Several are reportedly suffering from depression and anxiety disorders.

Human Rights Watch says military officials at Guantanamo have said they plan to increase prisoners' recreation time and allow detainees to congregate. The group says the prison has not announced a schedule for the changes.

A counterterrorism expert with Human Rights Watch, Jennifer Daskal, warns that the prison conditions are creating damaging psychological effects that will breed hatred and resentment of the United States over the long term.

She says the Guantanamo prison should be reformed and, ultimately, closed.

The United States has long been under international and domestic pressure to close the prison camp, where critics say human rights have been abused. The U.S. government denies allegations of abuse. And President George Bush, has said he, too, wants to see it eventually shut down.

The prison opened in 2002 to detain people suspected of committing terrorism.

Domestic Terrorism. CHESTERFIELD STUDENT INDICTED ON EXPLOSIVE CHARGES



COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- Acting United States Attorney Kevin F. McDonald announced today that a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Florence, South Carolina, returned an Indictment against Ryan Anthony Schallenberger, age 18, of Ruby, South Carolina, in connection with an alleged plot to blow up Chesterfield High School. Schallenberger was charged in the three-count indictment with:

(1) receiving and attempting to receive an explosive with the knowledge and intent that it would be used to kill, injure, or intimidate an individual, and damage and destroy a building, vehicle, or other real and personal property, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844 (d), and punishable by a maximum possible prison term of ten years;

(2) attempting to damage and destroy real property owned, possessed, or leased to Chesterfield High School and the Chesterfield County School District, by means of fire and an explosive, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(f)(1), and punishable by mandatory minimum prison term of five years and a maximum possible term of 20 years; and

(3) possessing an unregistered destructive device, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5861(d) and 5871, and punishable by a maximum possible prison term of ten years.

Schallenberger was initially arrested last month on a federal complaint that cited his alleged conduct as being in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2332a, involving a weapon of mass destruction. Mr. McDonald state that the WMD charge was not presented to the Grand Jury for its consideration. “Having considered the circumstances of this matter, and having reviewed the evidence obtained to date, I believe the case is properly charged. The explosives charges that were issued by the Grand Jury today are very serious charges,” Mr. McDonald said.

Schallenberger’s arraignment is tentatively scheduled for 10:00 a.m., at the Federal Courthouse in Florence on June 10 th.

The case was investigated by ATF, FBI, SLED, and the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rose Mary Parham and Buddy Bethea of the Florence Office.

Mr. McDonald stated that the charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant charged is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty

Know your Enemy on domestic Terrorism Hoax and They are not Mexicans or Latinos !!!!!!.

STATE LINE RESIDENT ADMITS TERRORISM HOAX

DUNN LAMPTON, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, and FREDERICK T. BRINK, Special Agent In Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jackson Field Division, announced that JOANNA JEAN LEISURE of State Line, Mississippi, pleaded guilty today to maliciously conveying false information by telephone, knowing the information to be false, concerning an alleged attempt to be made to unlawfully damage and destroy a Greyhound bus by means of explosives. LEISURE entered her plea before the Honorable Keith Starrett, United States District Judge, in Hattiesburg .
As described by the prosecutor in court today, LEISURE telephoned the Greyhound Bus Lines in Hattiesburg on July 16, 2007 to report that a person traveling from Weston , Oregon to Hattiesburg was planning to make a bomb to carry aboard the bus. LEISURE identified the traveler as Abdulaziz Osama AlZaaki, who would be traveling in the company of a female named Sheila. The Hattiesburg Police Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI were waiting in Hattiesburg when the bus arrived. Abdulaziz Osama AlZaaki and a female named Sheila were among the passengers who disembarked the bus. Neither passenger was carrying any bomb making materials or other suspicious items.

AlZaaki, it was learned, is the nephew of LEISURE, who had received permission from his grandmother in Oregon to stay at a trailer she owns in State Line. (AlZaaki was born in the United States , but his father is from Saudi Arabia .) While AlZaaki was en route from Oregon , LEISURE called AlZaaki’s traveling companion and said she did not want him to come to Mississippi . She said she was going to call the police and say there is a terrorist on the bus.
LEISURE faces a maximum of ten years of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. She also faces up to $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.Assistant United States Attorney GAINES CLEVELAND is the prosecutor in charge of the case. Mr. LAMPTON praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their diligent work in the investigation of this case.

H.R.1955 - Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. I want to pointed out a couple of interested sections of this bill.

Official: To prevent homegrown terrorism, and for other purposes. as introduced.

Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007.
4/19/2007--Introduced.

Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to add provisions concerning the prevention of homegrown terrorism (terrorism by individuals born, raised, or based and operating primarily in the United States). The secretary of Homeland Security to:
(1) establish a grant program to prevent radicalization (use of an extremist belief system for facilitating ideologically-based violence) and homegrown terrorism in the United States;

(2) establish or designate a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United States; and

(3) conduct a survey of methodologies implemented by foreign nations to prevent radicalization and homegrown terrorism. Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to prevent ideologically-based violence and homegrown terrorism from violating the constitutional and civil rights, and civil liberties, of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

Did you believe there are some groups who's are falling under these definitions?

SEC. 899A. DEFINITIONS.

`For purposes of this subtitle:

`(1) COMMISSION- The term `Commission' means the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism established under section 899C.

`(2) VIOLENT RADICALIZATION- The term `violent radicalization' means the process of adopting or promoting an extremist belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political, religious, or social change.

`(3) HOMEGROWN TERRORISM- The term `homegrown terrorism' means the use, planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual born, raised, or based and operating primarily within the United States or any possession of the United States to intimidate or coerce the United States government, the civilian population of the United States, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.

`(4) IDEOLOGICALLY BASED VIOLENCE- The term `ideologically based violence' means the use, planned use, or threatened use of force or violence by a group or individual to promote the group or individual's political, religious, or social beliefs.

KNOW YOUR ENEMY ON DOMESTIC TERRORISM. FLORIDA DOCTOR SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR CONSPIRING AND ATTEMPTING TO SUPPORT AL QAEDA

MICHAEL J. GARCIA, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that RAFIQ SABIR was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 25 years in prison by United States District Judge LORETTA A. PRESKA. On May 21, 2007, SABIR was convicted after a five-week jury trial of conspiring to provide material support or resources to the al Qaeda terrorist organization and of attempting to provide material support or resources to al Qaeda, after pledging an oath of loyalty to al Qaeda and OSAMA BIN LADEN in a ceremony recorded by an undercover FBI agent. According to the evidence at trial:

SABIR conspired with his good friend, TARIK SHAH, to provide martial arts training and medical assistance to al Qaeda, through a man whom they believed to be a recruiter for the
terrorist organization. The recruiter was in fact an FBI agent, acting undercover, who recorded numerous conversations with SABIR and SHAH, including the May 2005 ceremony in the Bronx. During that meeting, SABIR and SHAH pledged "bayat," or allegiance, to OSAMA BIN LADEN and al Qaeda, and agreed to provide SABIR’s medical expertise and SHAH’s martial arts expertise to train al Qaeda fighters.

From September 2003 through May 2005, SHAH engaged in multiple meetings and conversations, first with a confidential source (the "CS") and later with the FBI undercover agent (the "UC"). In these conversations, the vast majority of which were recorded, SHAH discussed his desire and intent to aid al Qaeda, and repeatedly discussed his friend, who was a doctor, as being someone who shared his desire. For example, SHAH repeatedly indicated his desire to train Muslim "brothers" in the martial arts to help them wage jihad, and to find people who were willing to press the fight. When meeting the UC for the first time, SHAH offered himself and SABIR as a "package." SHAH also took steps to find locations where jihad training could be conducted and weapons could be machined. In addition, SHAH told the UC and the CS of his discussions with SABIR regarding their desire to move to Afghanistan in 1998, when it was under the control of the Taliban, and of his intention to attend terrorist training camps there.

At the meeting on May 20, 2005, in the presence of the UC and under the impression that the UC had the authority of al Qaeda, SABIR and SHAH took "bayat" -- pledging an oath of loyalty to al Qaeda, and committing themselves to the path of Holy War, to the oath of secrecy, and to abide by the directives of al Qaeda and its leaders, including OSAMA BIN LADEN and AYMAN AL ZAWAHIRI. During that discussion, SABIR stated that he and SHAH had been "talking about this for a long time." SABIR also told the UC that he would soon be returning to Saudi Arabia for two years to work at a hospital in Riyadh, and that he enjoyed extraordinary freedom of movement within that country. Evidence at trial established that al Qaeda has engaged in a long-running terror campaign within Saudi Arabia that began in May 2003. Also at the May 2005 meeting, SABIR wrote down his telephone numbers in code, and gave them to the UC for the UC to provide to the "brothers" in Saudi Arabia, inviting them to call him and expressing his desire to meet them.

SABIR has been detained at the Metropolitan Correctional Center since shortly after his arrest on May 28, 2005. SABIR, 53, formerly lived in Florida.

The three other defendants in this case, TARIK SHAH, MAHMUD FARUQ BRENT, a/k/a “Mahmud Al Mutazzim,” and ABDULRAHMAN FARHANE, were sentenced by Judge PRESKA to 15 years, 15 years, and 13 years, respectively, following their guilty pleas.

Mr. GARCIA praised the efforts of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department, for their extraordinary efforts in the investigation of this case.

Assistant United States Attorneys JENNIFER G. RODGERS and KARL METZNER are in charge of the prosecution

KNOW YOUT ENEMY ON DOMESTIC TERRORISM.ILLINOIS MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN FOILED PLAN TO SET OFF GRENADES IN SHOPPING MALL

CHICAGO – A Rockford, Il., man, admitted today in Federal Court that he planned to set off several grenades in garbage cans at a shopping mall in Rockford last December. The defendant, Derrick Shareef, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. Shareef was arrested on Dec. 6, 2006, by agents of the FBI-led Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) when he met with an undercover agent at a store parking lot in Rockford to trade a set of stereo speakers for four hand grenades and a hand gun. He has remained in federal custody since he was arrested. Shareef was scheduled to stand trial beginning December 10, 2007.

Shareef entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge David Coar, who set sentencing for March 14, 2008. Shareef faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. While there is no plea agreement, the Government anticipates that a remaining count of attempted arson will be dismissed at sentencing.

Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said they were pleased with the conviction. At the time of Shareef’s arrest, they noted that there was no imminent risk of harm once the threat allegedly posed by Shareef was detected by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the charges alleged that he was acting alone.

The indictment against Shareef alleged that he planned to set off several grenades at the CherryVale Shopping Mall, near the junction of Interstate 90 and Interstate 39 on the east side of Rockford, about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. The mall, which has approximately 130 retail stores, is owned by CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., based in Chattanooga, Tenn. The mall was among several potential targets that Shareef allegedly discussed during the course of the investigation – the others were primarily local government facilities. At all times Shareef allegedly was acting on his plan between Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 2006, Shareef was in contact with an acquaintance, who unbeknownst to him was cooperating with the FBI, and an undercover agent who was posing as the cooperating individual’s friend.

The Chicago FBI’s JTTF is comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies from throughout the Northern District of Illinois, all of whom contributed to the investigation.

The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sergio Acosta and Carrie Hamilton

Know your Enemy on Domestic Terrorism. They are charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.

OHIO MAN SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR CONSPIRACY TO PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO TERRORISTS

WASHINGTON – An Ohio man has been sentenced to serve ten years in prison for conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, Assistant Attorney General for National Security Kenneth L. Wainstein, U.S. Attorney Gregory G. Lockhart of the Southern District of Ohio, Assistant Director Joseph Billy, Jr., of the FBI Counterterrorism Division, and Julie L. Myers, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), announced today.

Nuradin M. Abdi, 35, a Somali national living in Columbus, Ohio, was named in a four-count indictment returned under seal in the U.S. District Court in Columbus on June 10, 2004. On July 31, 2007, Abdi pleaded guilty in federal court to Count One of the indictment, which charged him with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.

Count One of the indictment specifically alleged that on April 27, 1999, Abdi applied to the Immigration and Naturalization Service - now known as ICE - for a travel document, wherein he concealed his destination by representing that he intended to visit Germany and Saudi Arabia for the purpose of "Umrah (Holly[sic] - Mecca) and visit my relative," when he actually planned to travel to Ogaden, Ethiopia, for the purpose of obtaining military-style training in preparation for violent jihad. Abdi allegedly sought training in radio usage, guns, guerilla warfare and bombs.

“Today's sentence is just punishment for a defendant who exploited our country's freedoms and manipulated our immigration system on numerous occasions, all in an effort to support and conspire with international terrorists,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Kenneth L. Wainstein.

“I want to commend the men and women who have diligently investigated and prosecuted this case,” U.S. Attorney Lockhart said. “They are successfully carrying out one of our nation’s most important jobs in the fight against terrorism - stopping those in this country who provide support to terrorists.”

“Nuradin Abdi's sentence should send a very clear message to those who, like Abdi, provide support to terrorist organizations and operatives. The FBI will not tolerate the propagation of violence and discord by those who wish to harm the U.S. and its citizens, and we will continue to work with our partners to pursue suspected terrorists and their supporters” said Assistant Director Joseph Billy, Jr., FBI Counterterrorism Division.

“Today's sentencing brings to conclusion one aspect of a critical joint investigation that identified and stopped three terrorist supporters bent on causing panic and significant harm to U.S. citizens,” said ICE Assistant Secretary Julie L. Myers. “This investigation highlights the aggressive pursuit by ICE and the Department of Justice to identify and prosecute those who seek to terrorize America and its allies.”

According to the statement of facts agreed upon by the government and the defendant, Abdi first entered the United States in 1995 using a false passport. He once again illegally entered the United States from Canada in 1997. Abdi was later granted asylum in this country based on a series of false statements.

In the ensuing years, Abdi befriended co-conspirators Christopher Paul and Iyman Faris in Ohio. Christopher Paul was later arrested and indicted in April 2007 on charges of providing material support, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction (explosives). Iyman Faris was later convicted of providing material support and conspiracy to provide material support to Al Qaeda. He is currently serving a 20-year prison term.

Federal agents arrested Abdi on Nov. 28, 2003. Abdi subsequently agreed to be interviewed by FBI agents and admitted conspiring with Faris, Paul and others to provide material support to foreign terrorists. These admissions by Abdi have been corroborated in a variety of ways, including bank records, travel records, invoices, and items seized in search warrants.

This case was investigated by the Southern Ohio Joint Terrorism Task Force, a multi-agency operation that includes agents and officers from 15 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

The investigation was a joint investigation by agents and officers of the JTTF, specifically ICE Special Agents Bob Medellin and Rich Wilkens; and FBI Special Agents Steve Flowers and John Corbin.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana M. Peters and Robyn J. Hahnert from the Southern District of Ohio and Sylvia Kaser, Trial Attorney with the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section.

Know your Enemy on Domestic Terrorism. Pennsylvania citizen convicted of attemting to provide material support to Al-Qaeda to 30 years imprisonment.

Martin C. Carlson, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and J P Weis, Special Agent in Charge, Philadelphia Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today that Michael Curtis Reynolds, age 49, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik to a 30-year term of imprisonment for attempting to provide material support to Al-Qaeda and related charges. On July 13, 2007, a federal jury returned the guilty verdicts on the charges after about an hour of deliberation.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Carlson, the evidence at trial established that starting in October 2005, Michael Curtis Reynolds began an attempt to aid a foreign terrorist organization--Al-Qaeda. Reynolds' plan was to help Al-Qaeda units that he believed existed in Canada and this country to make an attempt to destroy fuel pipelines servicing the United States. He was motivated to solicit and assist in this proposed attack because he disagreed with war in Iraq, was angered by the revocation of his passport while he was in Thailand, and by his own personal greed.

Fortunately Reynolds' plan was reported to the FBI just as it was beginning. From that point, a cooperating witness and later an FBI Special Agent posing as an Al-Qaeda terrorist communicated with Reynolds over the Internet about his scheme. Posing as that terrorist, for approximately a month they discussed with Reynolds his targets and other details of his plan. This communication over the Internet involved more than 50 messages and lasted until December 5, 2005, when FBI Special Agents arrested Reynolds at a desolate rest stop near Pocatello, Idaho, commonly known in the area as Hell's Half Acre. Reynolds was arrested when he arrived to pick up what he believed would be $40,000, which was partial payment for his services and future services to the Al-Qaeda terrorists. The evidence at trial also established that Reynolds possessed an unregistered grenade within his storage locker in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Reynolds was convicted of attempting to provide material support to Al-Qaeda, a terrorist organization; attempting to provide material support and resources to be used in maliciously damaging or destroying property by means of force or explosive; soliciting others to engage in a felony using physical force against property; distributing over the Internet information to be used in furtherance of a crime of violence; and possession of an unregistered grenade. The jury acquitted him of another unregistered-grenade charge.

Mr. Carlson stated, “Since September 11, 2001, the first priority of all law enforcement agencies has been to prevent future acts of terror in our homeland. Today’s sentencing constitutes a triumph of the rule of law over those who would use terror against this nation. Because of the astute work of the FBI, and the hard work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Gurganus, a plot by a would-be Al-Qaeda sympathizer was uncovered, and successfully prosecuted. Today’s sentence sends a clear message: Individuals such as Reynolds, who operate outside the law to impose terror represent a threat to our safety. Such would-be terrorists will be dealt with severely under our system of laws. I commend the FBI and everyone involved in the prosecution of this case for bringing him to justice.”

Reynolds is presently imprisoned at the Lackawanna County Jail in Scranton, Pennsylvania, pending his designation to a federal correctional facility by the United States Bureau of Prisons.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus.