Late Wednesday the FBI announced the arrest of four men in a plot to bomb two synagogues in the Bronx and simultaneously shoot down planes at an Air National Guard base near New York City.
The four would-be terrorists were arrested after planting bombs in cars bombs outside the Riverdale Temple and Riverdale Jewish Center in a wealthy neighborhood in the Bronx. They were unaware that the source from whom they had acquired what they believed to be C4 explosive was an FBI informant, and that the material he provided them with was harmless.
The four men are all from the city of Newburgh, about 60 miles from New York City. All had criminal records and are believed to have met in prison where they converted to a radical sect of Islam. All are African-Americans and one is of Haitian ancestry. Law enforcement officials identified them as James Cromitie, David Williams, Onta Williams and Laguerre Payen.
The arrests came at the end of a year-long investigation initiated when the FBI learned of their efforts to buy explosives and Stinger missiles for their planned attack on military planes at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh.
James Cromitie was said to have identified the killing of Muslims in Afghanistan as his reason for planning the attacks and that he wanted to carry out a Jihad and "do something to America" in retaliation.
They have been charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction within the United States and with conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles. Each man faces a potential life term in prison on each charge.
Prosecutor Eric Snyder described them as "extremely violent men and said that they "pose an extreme risk of danger to the community," as he argued at the arraignment that they should be held without bail. He said, "These people were eager to bring death to Jews."
Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a statement in which he said:
“This latest attempt to attack our freedoms shows that the homeland security threats against New York City are sadly all too real and underscores why we must remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent terrorism.”
Like the terrorist plot in Miami in which four men were recently sentenced, this plot was described by law enforcement as "aspirational" because although the conspirators had the intent to do harm they did not actually have the weapons and materials necessary to carry out their plans effectively, in this case because the FBI was controlling their access to explosives and weapons. As one official said, the situation "was fully controlled at all times."
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - m a rK
Why in the world does this rate 'featured article' status, Dave?
2 - roger nowosielski
Do you have to ask?
3 - m a rk
I have noticed an emerging pattern.
4 - roger nowosielski
And they tell us not to pray to the editorial gods.
5 - ed dickson
Although some might claim these guys were not the most sophisticated bunch, it is a clear reminder that we are far from safe in the U.S. and cannot afford to let our guard down.
6 - ed dickson
Although some might claim these guys were not the most sophisticated bunch, it is a clear reminder that we are far from safe in the U.S. and cannot afford to let our guard down.
7 - Ruvy
Why in the world does this rate 'featured article' status, Dave?
It doesn't, Ma r k. The intended victims would only have been rich Jews. These guys from the NOI (Dave is imbibing the British formula of political correctness) didn't manage to kill anybody, right? And we all know, the rich Jews are not really human at all, just parasites on the body politic wherever they live, right? Don't believe me? Ask the fine gentlemen at the UN.
Have a good Sabbath, you semi-Semite who doesn't seem to give a damn about Semites in danger....
8 - roger nowosielski
Mark was only referring to "executive privilege," Ruvy - tongue in cheek if you like - not the subject matter.
Am I correct, Mark?
9 - Dave Nalle
Guys, I'd like to know what "pattern" you're referring to. This is the first and only one of my articles to be put in the top featured position, and it's a straight news story, so I'm not even promoting any of my interests.
It's in this position because the old feature expired and it was the newest article which was timely to put in the spot. Write something more interesting and more current and you'll get the featured spot.
Dave
10 - Dave Nalle
Although some might claim these guys were not the most sophisticated bunch, it is a clear reminder that we are far from safe in the U.S. and cannot afford to let our guard down.
I don't know, Ed. One of the things which this and the previous case from Miami seem to have in common is that the terrorists in both cases are idiots.
Of more concern is that in both cases they were african american converts to radical forms of Islam who had prison records. I imagine the FBI is profiling the hell out of people who fit that pattern.
Dave
11 - roger nowosielski
Dave,
I was only kidding, just so you know.
12 - Bliffle
Did they have to torture anyone to stymie this outfit?
13 - Dr Dreadful
It appears not, Bliffle. The four seem to have embraced their moronhood quite freely.
14 - Mar k
More crazy racially oriented crappola from Reuven, I see.
Dave.......OK
15 - roger nowosielski
Mark,
Why don't you join in on the "torture memos" thread, Glenn's article on Cheney?
I need an intellectual equal, just kidding. But seriously, I do have a question.
Roger
16 - Dan(Miller)
Dave -- in Comment #10, you appear to suggest that idiots and morons are less dangerous than smart people when they set out to do unlawful stuff. Yet, I still keep hearing from various folks that Bush, Cheney, et al were (are) idiots and/or morons, and that they did a whole lot of serious injury, from which the U.S. will have a very hard time recovering, by doing unlawful stuff.
Huh?
Dan(Miller)
17 - Irene Wagner
Smart evil people get the idiots and morons (some of them get to be presidents) to do their bidding. Just a wild guess.
18 - roger nowosielski
Is it a case of leading one by their nose?
19 - Dave Nalle
Yet, I still keep hearing from various folks that Bush, Cheney, et al were (are) idiots and/or morons, and that they did a whole lot of serious injury, from which the U.S. will have a very hard time recovering, by doing unlawful stuff.
This is because they are only idiots and/or morons in the eyes of those who wish to belittle them to make them seem less legitimate. In fact, they're smart enough to make sure that their asses are covered so that whatever they did is just over the line of legality or covered by plausible deniability. That puts them in a whole different league from these wannabe terrorists. Miles smarter.
Dave
20 - Lumpy
If these guys came out of the prison system as terrorists imagine what will happen when we put the GITMO gang in there to organize them. Thanks Obama.
21 - Cindy
...conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction within the United States and with conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles...
A car bomb is now a weapon of mass destruction? Anti-aircraft missiles are not weapons of mass destruction.
Now why do you think that is?
22 - Dave Nalle
I think in this case the dividing line is between weapons which target specific targets and those which kill indescriminately. At least that makes some sense.
Dave
23 - Jordan Richardson
If these guys came out of the prison system as terrorists imagine what will happen when we put the GITMO gang in there to organize them.
They'll be less organized and suddenly very, very gay?
24 - Bliffle
Frankly, I'd feel better and safer if terrorists were imprisoned in the USA where we can keep a careful eye on them and control their lives, than risk sending them to foreign nations where some turn might set them free to cause more trouble.
25 - roger nowosielski
Yes, this is bullshit. Dan Miller wanted some info on the federal judge who approved indefinite detention without trial. He himself tends to think (that was my impression at least) that such a judgment sucks. So if you can provide the link to this story, could you?