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Brandon is probably pretty shocked at how effective law enforcement has become. Ten years ago...he could have done the same offense and just walked away with no worry. He has to be sitting in a cell now, and wondering how the US government will handle his export to Spain. There is no death sentences in Spain...but they will lock you up for 20 years. My guess is that the FBI will turn his entire house upside down. All of his phonecalls over the last three years will be reviewed. His connections will be exposed.

But the real question here...his fingerprints were on this plastic item left at the crime scene. What was Brandon doing in Spain? He is a lawyer and not likely to be used for "action" requirements. My guess is that he is supposed to be a support cell member only. Why go to Spain? Why get involved in their operation? Unless...their operation fits into the US as well. I keep thinking of that character that the immigration guys grabbed up in Seattle about four years ago with the explosives. Could Brandon have been the support cell guy who was supposed to help that dude get safely into the US?

One possibility to answer your (darn fine) questions:

Maybe the 'sleeper cell' members number many fewer than previously thought. While this particular n'er-do-well may have indeed been operating in the U.S., finding him in Spain would suggest to me that either (a) he was needed to help out since they had nobody else; or (b) he was a supervisor and was providing approval, expertise, and oversight on the operation.

In either case, the FBI seems to be all over this one -- and I really like your point about phone calls and contacts. This could really be hugh.

Ten years ago...he could have done the same offense and just walked away with no worry. He has to be sitting in a cell now, and wondering how the US government will handle his extradition to Spain

Someone should start checking this guy's whereabouts during the Oklahoma City Bombing....

Turn it around: why would they check the prints against an American database?

Something tells me they've got a very good handle on who's doing what in the American salamikaze movement. It almost makes me wonder if they traded a bombing in Spain, against the collapse of their investigation here....

Have we verified that he was in Spain? His fingerprints could've gotten on the bag here, after which the bag was shipped to Spain. He could've shipped it? I'm just throwing out random thoughts here, in case he wasn't actually in Spain at all, but did his part from here.