Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: tet68
Loewen has been under investigation by the Wichita Joint Terrorism Task Force since early summer 2013, Grissom said. Loewen didn’t realize he was having an online conversation with an FBI employee in which Loewen expressed “desire to engage in violent jihad on behalf of al Qaeda,” the criminal complaint said.
17 posted on 12/13/2013 1:46:28 PM PST by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]


To: smokingfrog

You know he’s not the only short fuse out there.
When one learns to make his own explosive and keeps
his mouth shut it will be a different story.


20 posted on 12/13/2013 1:51:20 PM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies ]

To: All

NOTE The following text is a quote:

www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/December/13-nsd-1315.html

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 13, 2013
Kansas Man Charged in Plot to Explode Car Bomb at Airport

A man has been charged in federal court with attempting to explode a car bomb at Wichita Mid Continent Airport, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John Carlin and U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom announced today. The defendant was arrested as part of an FBI undercover investigation, and the device used by the defendant was, in fact, inert and at no time posed a danger to the public.
 
Terry Lee Loewen, 58, of Wichita, Kan., is charged in a criminal complaint filed today in U.S. District Court in Wichita with one count of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, one count of attempting to damage property by means of an explosive and one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
 
“There was no breach of Mid-Continent’s Airport’s security,” said U.S. Attorney Grissom.  “At no time was the safety of travelers or members of the public placed in jeopardy.”
 
Loewen, who works as an avionics technician, is alleged to have spent months developing a plan that involved using his access card to airport grounds to drive a van loaded with explosives to the terminal.  He planned to pull the trigger on the explosives himself and die in the explosion.
 
Agents arrested Loewen about 5:40 a.m. Friday after he attempted to enter the airport tarmac and deliver a vehicle loaded with what he believed were high explosives.  Members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) took him into custody without incident.
 
Loewen has been under investigation by the Wichita Joint Terrorism Task Force since early summer 2013. It is alleged that, prior to his attempted attack, he made statements that he was resolved to commit an act of violent jihad against the United States. Over a period of months, he took a series of actions to advance the plot. According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Loewen:
 
• studied the layout of the airport and took photographs of access points;
• researched flight schedules;   
• assisted in acquiring components for the car bomb;
• and talked about his commitment to trigger the device and martyr himself.
 
On Friday, Loewen went to Mid-Continent Airport to detonate the car bomb.  He was taken into custody when he attempted to open a security access gate. FBI Evidence Response Teams are executing search warrants related to the case.  Although the investigation is ongoing, no additional arrests are anticipated.
 
“Lone wolves - home grown violent extremists remain a very serious threat to our nation’s security, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Kaste.  “Today’s arrest emphasizes the continual need for the public to remain vigilant as law enforcement relies on the public’s assistance.” 
 
If convicted, Loewen would face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
 
The investigation was conducted by the Wichita FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes members from the FBI, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol. Assisting with the investigation were the FBI Kansas City Division, the Transportation Security Administration, the Wichita Airport Authority, and the Wichita Police Department. 
 
The case is being handled by prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
  
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The charges merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

13-1315
National Security Division


63 posted on 12/14/2013 3:45:37 AM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson