Posted on 12/08/2010 1:10:46 PM PST by Kartographer
A 21-year-old Baltimore man has been arrested for attempting to blow up a military recruitment center in Catonsville with a fake bomb supplied by federal agents.
Federal authorities say Antonio Martinez, also known as Muhammad Hussain, attempted to detonate what he believed to be a vehicle bomb this morning at the Armed Forces Career Center in the 5400 block of Baltimore National Pike.
Court records paint Martinez as obsessed with Jihad and intent on punishing the military. He praised Nidal Hassan, the U.S. Army major who killed 13 people at Fort Hood, and discussed obtaining weapons and shooting up military installations, records show.
In November, he was observed on a public computer in Woodlawn viewing videos of Osama bin Laden and an Iraqi martyrdom. He discussed in public postings on his Facebook page how the "reign of oppression is about 2 cease."
It was through the social networking site that he communicated at times with an FBI informant, saying he wanted to go to Pakistan or Afghanistan and join the ranks of the "mujahideen."
He told the confidential source that if the military continued to kill Muslims, "they would need to expand their operation by killing U.S. Army personnel where they live," records show. They discussed attacking military installations and the possibility of using gas or propane tanks.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT.org - IPT News: "THE JIHADIST SOCIAL NETWORK UNDERWORLD" (SNIPPET: "A friend of Martinez who goes by the name Mohamed Momo, lists Faisal Shahzad, Anwar al-Awlaki, and As-Sahab Media among his interests. Momo's list of friends on Facebook includes a smorgasbord of likely jihadist-sympathizers--judging from the contents of their profiles--mixed in with well known American Islamists.") (December 10, 2010)
Baltimore.FBI.gov - DOJ Press Release: Baltimore - "MARYLAND MAN CHARGED IN PLOT TO ATTACK ARMED FORCES RECRUITING CENTER Inert 'Bomb' Provided by Undercover FBI Agent Posed No Danger to Public" (SNIPPET: "Antonio Martinez, aka Muhammad Hussain, age 21, of Baltimore, a U.S. citizen..." SNIPPET: "After learning from the CS that Martinez was seeking to attack and kill military personnel, the FBI recorded a series of conversations between Martinez and the CS. During the conversations, Martinez identified his target as the Armed Forces recruiting station on Route 40 in Catonsville, Maryland.") (December 8, 2010)
NOTE The following text is a quote
www.fbi.gov/baltimore/press-releases/2012/maryland-man-pleads-guilty-to-attempted-use-of-a-weapon-of-mass-destruction-in-plot-to-attack-armed-forces-recruiting-center
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction in Plot to Attack Armed Forces Recruiting Center
U.S. Attorney’s Office
January 26, 2012
District of Maryland
BALTIMORE—Antonio Martinez, aka Muhammad Hussain, 22, of Baltimore, a U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty today to attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction against federal property in connection with a scheme to attack an armed forces recruiting station in Catonsville, Md. Martinez was arrested on Dec. 8, 2010, after he attempted to detonate what he believed to be explosives at the armed forces recruiting station.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the FBI.
“We are catching dangerous suspects before they strike, and we are investigating them in a way that maximizes the liberty and security of law-abiding citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Rosenstein. “That is what the American people expect of the Justice Department, and that is what we aim to deliver.”
“This is an example of another successful prosecution that resulted from outstanding partnerships between the Muslim community and law enforcement,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge McFeely. “As the threat from homegrown violent extremists remains high, the FBI and our police partners rely on a two way flow of information with the Muslim community at large. Together we are working to stop those that have perverted the Islamic faith into something it is not.”
According to his plea agreement, on Oct. 22, 2010, Martinez raised the subject of attacking military targets with an FBI confidential source (CS). During the recorded conversations that followed between Martinez, the CS and later, an FBI undercover agent, Martinez identified his target—an armed forces recruiting station in Catonsville—and spoke about his anger toward America, his belief that Muslims were being unjustly targeted and killed by the American military and his desire to commit jihad to send a message that American soldiers would be killed unless the country stopped its “war” against Islam.
Martinez attempted to recruit a number of people to join in the operation, including an individual whom he said had the ability to obtain weapons. All of them declined, and one of them expressly attempted to dissuade Martinez from committing jihad. Thereafter, Martinez agreed to meet the source’s “Afghani brother,” an undercover FBI agent (UC), whom the CS represented would be interested in assisting in the operation.
According to the statement of facts, both prior to, and during the course of the investigation, Martinez articulated his militant beliefs in postings on his public Facebook page and in two Facebook chats with the CS.
According to the plea agreement, Martinez first met the UC on Nov. 16, 2010, and advised the UC that he wanted jihadist activities to be his “profession.” Throughout the course of the investigation, Martinez repeatedly expressed his desire to go forward with the attack. Martinez admitted that on Dec. 8, 2010, he met the CS to drive to a public parking lot near the recruiting center. On the way, Martinez had the CS tape him on a camcorder and a statement that he would continue to fight against the oppressors until those who waged war with Islam stopped their actions. Martinez subsequently attempted to detonate an explosive device at the armed forces recruiting station. Martinez admitted that the bomb was intended to kill military service members who worked in the building. As set forth in court documents, agents investigating Martinez ensured that the bomb was inert and no danger was presented to the public.
If the court accepts the plea, Martinez will be sentenced to 25 years in prison, which the government and the defendant have agreed is the appropriate disposition of the case. U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz has scheduled sentencing for April 6, 2012, at 9:00 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Rosenstein praised the FBI and the members of its multi-agency Joint Terrorism Task Force for their work in this investigation. U.S. Attorney Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge McFeely expressed their appreciation to the Baltimore City Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department, Maryland State Police, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Air Force Recruitment Command, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Army 902d Military Intelligence Group, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance in the investigation.
U.S. Attorney Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Manuelian, who is prosecuting the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Harvey E. Eisenberg, Chief of the National Security Section, who is supervising the case. U.S. Attorney Rosenstein also thanked the Justice Department’s National Security Division for its support.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/3409/maryland-man-pleads-guilty-to-plotting-attack-on
For The Record - The IPT Blog
“Maryland Man Pleads Guilty To Plotting Attack on Military Recruiting Center”
by IPT News • Jan 26, 2012 at 2:41 pm
SNIPPET: “A Maryland man pleaded guilty Thursday to attempting to blow up an Army recruiting center near Baltimore.
Antonio Martinez, a Muslim convert who also goes by Muhammad Hussain, was arrested on Dec. 8, 2010, in an FBI sting after he tried to detonate a car bomb at the Armed Forces recruiting station in Catonsville, Md.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2487838/posts
#
NOTE The following text is a quote:
www.fbi.gov/washingtondc/press-releases/2012/leader-of-revolution-muslim-pleads-guilty-to-using-internet-to-solicit-murder-and-encourage-violent-extremism
“Leader of Revolution Muslim Pleads Guilty to Using Internet to Solicit Murder and Encourage Violent Extremism”
U.S. Attorney’s Office
February 09, 2012
Eastern District of Virginia
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Jesse Curtis Morton, aka Younus Abdullah Muhammed, 33, of New York City, pleaded guilty today to using his position as a leader of Revolution Muslim Organization’s Internet sites to conspire to solicit murder, make threatening communications, and use the Internet to place others in fear.
Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Raymond W. Kelly, New York City Police Commissioner, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady.
Morton faces a maximum penalty five years in prison for each of the three charges when he is sentenced on May 18, 2012.
“Jesse Morton operated Revolution Muslim to radicalize those who saw and heard his materials online and to incite them to engage in violence against those they believed to be enemies of Islam,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “We may never know all of those who were inspired to engage in terrorism because of Revolution Muslim, but the string of recent terrorism cases with ties to Morton’s organization demonstrates the threat it posed to our national security. We’re grateful to the FBI, NYPD, and their law enforcement partners throughout the world who made today’s conviction possible.”
“Individuals such as Morton who encourage violence and create fear over the Internet are a danger to our society and to the freedoms we enjoy as citizens,” said Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin. “Today’s plea, and other recent cases of those associated with Morton’s organization, demonstrate the widespread nature of this danger. Together with our partner law enforcement agencies, and with the assistance of the community, the FBI will continue to pursue those who promulgate violent extremism and promote the radicalization of others.”
“Fortunately, NYPD Intelligence Division detectives were in a position to learn exactly how Morton used the Internet to conspire to solicit murder, and how he encouraged others to solicit the murder of an artist whose material he deemed offensive,” said Police Commissioner Kelly. “This important plea resulted because the NYPD’s monitoring of Morton’s activities, combined with the investigative and prosecutorial expertise of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Virginia, made for a strong case, in addition to a strong partnership.”
According to a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Morton founded Revolution Muslim in December 2007 and created various online forums that contained postings and information supportive of violent extremism. Morton and his associates used the organization’s websites to encourage Muslims to engage in violence against those they believed to be enemies of Islam and to support Osama bin Laden, Anwar Al-Awlaki, al Qaeda, the Taliban, and others espousing violence. They posted messages in support of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the November 2009 killings at Ft. Hood and attacks and future threats against Jewish organizations, among others.
Through his online forums, Morton conspired with Zachary Chesser, of Fairfax County, Va., and others to solicit the murder of an artist tied to the “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day” movement in May 2010, including posting online a magazine that included the artist in a hit list for violent extremists to take out and a message from Anwar Al-Awlaki that explicitly called for the artist’s assassination. In justifying these actions, Morton posted online a speech of his asserting that “Islam’s position is that those that insult the Prophet may be killed” and exhorting his listeners to fight the “disbelievers near you.”
In addition, Morton admitted through his statement of facts that he aided Chesser in taking repeated steps in April 2010 to encourage violent extremists to attack the writers of South Park for an episode that featured Muhammad in a bear suit, including highlighting their residence and urging online readers to “pay them a visit.” Among the steps they took were posting on multiple occasions speeches by Anwar Al-Awlaki, which explained the Islamic justification for killing those who insult or defame Muhammad. Morton worked with Chesser to draft a message for the website regarding the South Park threats, including a quote from Osama bin Laden that “If there is no check in the freedom of your words, then let your hearts be open to the freedom of our actions.” Morton and Chesser posted the final version of this statement on various extremist online forums, and Chesser told Morton that he expected the statement would “scare the kuffar.” Kuffar is an Arabic term, referring to an unbeliever, or disbeliever, in Islam.
Chesser was arrested on July 21, 2010, charged with providing material support to al Shabaab and later also pleaded guilty to communicating threats and soliciting violent extremists to desensitize law enforcement. Four days after Chesser’s arrest, Morton fled to Morocco, where he resided until his arrest on U.S. charges on May 26, 2011.
In his statement of facts, Morton admitted that the Revolution Muslim websites contained the writings of and/or contributed to the radicalization of individuals who were inclined to engage in violence, including the following:
Samir Khan, previously of Charlotte, N.C., before moving to Yemen in 2009, was authorized by Morton to post materials on Revolution Muslim, and Morton provided Khan with two articles for the first two online editions of Jihad Recollections, an online magazine dedicated to violent extremism. In July 2010, Morton posted the first edition of Inspire magazine, an English-language magazine supporting al Qaeda that Morton believed to be the product of Khan. The magazine included an eight-page article titled “Make a bomb in the kitchen of Your Mom,” with detailed instructions regarding the construction of an explosive device.
Bilal Zaheer Ahmad, of the United Kingdom, was provided the password to Revolution Muslim by Morton and given permission to post messages. In November 2010, Ahmad praised Roshonara Choundhry for attempting to kill a British member of parliament over his support for the Iraq war and posted a list of 383 members of parliament who had voted for the Iraq war, along with suggestions on how to get in to see them and a link to a store selling a weapon similar to that used in Choundhry’s attack. Ahmad told Morton that the purpose of the post was to “make those MPs fearful.”
Abdel Hameed Shehedah, a former resident of Staten Island, N.Y., who was charged in October 2010 of making false statements involving his alleged attempt to travel to Pakistan to join a fighting group such as the Taliban. The statement of facts states that Shehedah attended Revolution Muslim meetings, made his website, civiljihad.com, a feeder site for Revolution Muslim and eventually arranged for all visitors to his website be routed automatically to Revolution Muslim.com.
Rezwan Ferdaus, of Ashland, Mass., was charged in September 2011 with plotting to attack the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol using large remote controlled aircraft filled with C-4 plastic explosives. The statement of facts states that in February 2010, Ferdaus e-mailed Morton asking for counsel regarding his duties as a Muslim and whether martyrdom operations were proper practice. Morton replied that martyrdom operations must be judged by intention but can have “enormous benfits (sic) in a war of attrition.”
Colleen R. LaRose, aka “Jihad Jane,” of Montgomery County, Pa., was charged in March 2010 with a variety of terrorism-related offenses, including plotting to kill Lars Vilks, a Swedish cartoonist who has been the subject of several murder threats based on his artwork depicting Muhammad. According to the statement of facts, Morton notified Sheikh Abdullah Faisal, a Muslim cleric convicted in the United Kingdom of soliciting murder, that LaRose was a subscriber to Revolution Muslim YouTube accounts.
Antonio Benjamin Martinez, of Baltimore, Md., was arrested and charged with plotting to bomb a military recruiting station in December 2010. The statement of facts states that one month prior to his arrest, Martinez viewed a video of Osama bin Laden and multiple terror training camp video clips on the Revolution Muslim website.
Jose Pimental, of New York City, was arrested and charged in November 2011 in connection with a plot to build and use a bomb to assassinate members of the U.S. military returning from active duty in Afghanistan. According to the statement of facts, Pimental contacted Morton saying that he was a big fan of Revolution Muslim, and that Morton recommended that Pimentel stay away from an individual because “there is high probability that he is working for the FBI.”
Mohamed Hamoud Alessa and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, both of New Jersey, were arrested in June 2010 on their way to Somalia to join a terrorist organization to kill individuals whose beliefs and practices did not accord with their ideology. The statement of facts states that both Alessa and Almonte were associates of Morton’s within the Revolution Muslim organization, and Morton was interviewed by investigators from the New York City Police Department on the day of their arrest.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the New York Police Department’s Intelligence Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon D. Kromberg and Karen L. Dunn of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney John T. Gibbs of the Counterterrorism Section in the National Security Division are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov.
The Fast and Furious investigation threatens to splatter the DOJ with poo, and suddenly, the Feebs are reeling in would-be terrorists.
Sorry, but this smells scripted. These investigations have been ongoing, and the timing stinks.
Still, I'm glad these guys are off the streets.
NOTE The following text is a quote:
Maryland Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Attempted Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction in Plot to Attack Armed Forces Recruiting Center
U.S. Attorney’s Office
April 06, 2012
District of Maryland
BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Antonio Martinez, a/k/a Muhammad Hussain, age 22, of Baltimore, Maryland, a U.S. citizen, today to 25 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction against federal property, in connection with a scheme to attack an armed forces recruiting station in Catonsville, Maryland. Martinez was arrested on December 8, 2010 after he attempted to detonate what he believed to be explosives at the armed forces recruiting station.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“We are catching dangerous suspects before they strike, and we are investigating them in a way that maximizes the liberty and security of law-abiding citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “That is what the American people expect of the Justice Department and that is what we aim to deliver.”
“This is an example of another successful prosecution that resulted from outstanding partnerships between the Muslim community and law enforcement,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely. “As the threat from homegrown violent extremists remains high, the FBI and our police partners rely on a two-way flow of information with the Muslim community at large. Together, we are working to stop those that have perverted the Islamic faith into something it is not.”
According to his plea agreement, on October 22, 2010, Martinez raised the subject of attacking military targets with an FBI confidential source (CS). During the recorded conversations that followed between Martinez, the CS, and later an FBI undercover agent, Martinez identified his target—an armed forces recruiting station in Catonsville, Maryland—and spoke about his anger toward America, his belief that Muslims were being unjustly targeted and killed by the American military, and his desire to commit jihad to send a message that American soldiers would be killed unless the country stopped its “war” against Islam.
Martinez attempted to recruit a number of people to join in the operation, including an individual whom he said had the ability to obtain weapons. All of them declined, and one of them expressly attempted to dissuade Martinez from committing jihad. Thereafter, Martinez agreed to meet the source’s “Afghani brother,” an undercover FBI agent (UC), whom the CS represented would be interested in assisting in the operation.
According to the statement of facts, both prior to and during the course of the investigation, Martinez articulated his militant beliefs in postings on his public Facebook page and in two discussions with the CS over Martinez’s Facebook page.
According to the plea agreement, Martinez first met the UC on November 16, 2010 and advised the UC that he wanted jihadist activities to be his “profession.” Throughout the course of the investigation, Martinez repeatedly expressed his desire to go forward with the attack. Martinez admitted that on December 8, 2010, he met the CS to drive to a public parking lot near the recruiting center. On the way, Martinez had the CS tape him on a camcorder making a statement that he would continue to fight against the oppressors until those who waged war with Islam stopped their actions. Martinez subsequently attempted to detonate an explosive device at the armed forces recruiting station. Martinez admitted that the bomb was intended to kill military service members who worked in the building. As set forth in court documents, agents investigating Martinez ensured that the bomb was inert and no danger was presented to the public.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and the members of its multi-agency Joint Terrorism Task Force for their work in this investigation. Mr. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge McFeely expressed their appreciation to the Baltimore City Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department, Maryland State Police, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Air Force Recruitment Command, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Army 902d Military Intelligence Group, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance in the investigation.
Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Manuelian, who is prosecuting the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jefferson M. Gray who assisted in the prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked the Justice Department’s National Security Division for its support.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/3523/baltimore-bomb-plotter-gets-25-years
For The Record - The IPT Blog
“Baltimore Bomb Plotter Gets 25 Years”
by IPT News • Apr 6, 2012 at 4:32 pm
SNIPPET: “A Muslim convert was sentenced to 25 years in prison Friday for plotting to bomb a U.S. military recruiting station near Baltimore in revenge for what he claimed was an American “war on Islam.” Antonio Martinez, who assumed the name Muhammad Hussain after his recent conversion, pled guilty to the plot in January and will face the maximum sentence.
Martinez made little attempt to hide his anti-Western feelings or even his plot to detonate a car bomb outside the recruitment center. He was turned down by several other individuals he attempted to employ as co-conspirators. Despite a friend’s attempt to dissuade him from pursuing the attack, Martinez drove an inert car bomb provided by the FBI to the site and tried to detonate it.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.