20-year-old Saudi in Texas arrested on terror charges
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. authorities on Wednesday evening arrested a 20-year-old Texan resident on charges relating to terrorism, prosecutors said on Thursday.
Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, 20, a citizen of Saudi Arabia and resident of Lubbock, Texas, was arrested by FBI agents in Texas on a federal charge of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction in connection with his alleged purchase of chemicals and equipment necessary to make an improvised explosive device (IED) and his research of potential U.S. targets.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, Aldawsari has been researching online how to construct an IED using several chemicals as ingredients. He has also acquired or took a substantial step toward acquiring most of the ingredients and equipment necessary to construct an IED and he has conducted online research of several potential U.S. targets, the affidavit alleges. In addition, he has allegedly described his desire for violent jihad and martyrdom in blog postings and a personal journal.
Aldawsari is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Lubbock at 9:00 a.m. local time on Friday morning. Aldawsari, who was lawfully admitted into the United States in 2008 on a student visa and is enrolled at South Plains College near Lubbock, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.
"As alleged in the complaint, Aldawsari purchased ingredients to construct an explosive device and was actively researching potential targets in the United States. Thanks to the efforts of many agents, analysts and prosecutors, this plot was thwarted before it could advance further," said Assistant Attorney General Kris. "This case serves as another reminder of the need for continued vigilance both at home and abroad."
James T. Jacks, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, said: "Yesterday's arrest demonstrates the need for and the importance of vigilance and the willingness of private individuals and companies to ask questions and contact the authorities when confronted with suspicious activities. Based upon reports from the public, Aldawsari's plot was uncovered and thwarted. We're confident we have neutralized the alleged threat posed by this defendant. Those reports resulted in the initiation of a complex and far-reaching investigation requiring almost around the clock work by hundreds of dedicated FBI agents, analysts, prosecutors and others. Their effort is another example of the work being done to protect our country and its citizens. These individuals are deserving of our respect and gratitude," said U.S. Attorney Jacks.
"This arrest and criminal charge is a result of the success of the FBI's counterterrorism strategy, which is to detect, penetrate, and disrupt terrorist plots in the United States and against U.S. interests abroad," said Robert E. Casey Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Dallas Field Division. "In this case, FBI Agents and other FBI experts worked tirelessly to neutralize the imminent terrorist threat described in the criminal complaint. The public can be justifiably proud of the national security expertise shown by the FBI in this investigation."
The
affidavit
alleges
that
on
Feb.
1,
2011,
a
chemical
supplier
reported
to
the
FBI
a
suspicious
attempted
purchase
of
concentrated
phenol
by
a
man
identifying
himself
as
Khalid
Aldawsari.
According
to
the
affidavit,
phenol
is
a
toxic
chemical
with
legitimate
uses,
but
can
also
be
used
to
make
the
explosive
trinitrophenol,
also
known
as
T.N.P.,
or
picric
acid.
The
affidavit
alleges
that
other
ingredients
typically
used
with
phenol
to
make
picric
acid,
or
T.N.P.,
are
concentrated
sulfuric
and
nitric
acids.
Aldawsari allegedly attempted to have the phenol order shipped to a freight company so it could be held for him there, but the freight company returned the order to the supplier and called the police. Later, Aldawsari falsely told the supplier he was associated with a university and wanted the phenol for "off-campus, personal research." Frustrated by questions being asked over his phenol order, Aldawsari cancelled his order and later e-mailed himself instructions for producing phenol. The affidavit alleges that in December 2010, he successfully purchased concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids.
According
to
the
affidavit,
legally
authorized
electronic
surveillance
revealed
that
Aldawsari
used
various
e-mail
accounts
in
researching
explosives
and
targets,
and
often
sent
emails
to
himself
as
part
of
this
process.
On
Feb.
11,
2011,
for
instance,
he
allegedly
e-mailed
himself
a
recipe
for
picric
acid,
which
the
e-mail
describes
as
a
"military
explosive." He
also
allegedly
sent
himself
an
e-mail
on
Oct.
19,
2010
that
contained
information
on
the
material
required
for
Nitro
Urea,
how
to
prepare
it,
and
the
advantages
of
using
it.
The affidavit alleges that Aldawsari also e-mailed himself instructions on how to convert a cellular phone into a remote detonator and how to prepare a booby-trapped vehicle using items available in every home. One e-mail allegedly contained a message stating that "one operation in the land of the infidels is equal to ten operations against occupying forces in the land of the Muslims." During December 2010 and January 2011, Aldawsari allegedly purchased many other items, including a gas mask, a Hazmat suit, a soldering iron kit, glass beakers and flasks, wiring, a stun gun, clocks and a battery tester.
Two
legally
authorized
searches
of
Aldawsari's
apartment
conducted
by
the
FBI
in
February
2011
indicated
that
the
concentrated
sulfuric
and
nitric
acids;
the
beakers
and
flasks;
wiring;
Hazmat
suit;
and
clocks
were
present
in
Aldawsari's
residence.
FBI
agents
also
found
a
notebook
at
Aldawsari's
residence
that
appeared
to
be
a
diary
or
journal.
According
to
the
affidavit,
excerpts
from
the
journal
indicate
that
Aldawsari
had
been
planning
to
commit
a
terrorist
attack
in
the
United
States
for
years.
One
entry
describes
how
Aldawsari
sought
and
obtained
a
particular
scholarship
because
it
allowed
him
to
come
directly
to
the
United
State
and
helped
him
financially,
which
he
said
"will
help
tremendously
in
providing
me
with
the
support
I
need
for
Jihad."
The
entry
continues:
"And
now,
after
mastering
the
English
language,
learning
how
to
build
explosives
and
continuous
planning
to
target
the
infidel
Americans,
it
is
time
for
Jihad."
In another entry, Aldawsari allegedly wrote that he was near to reaching his goal and near to getting weapons to use against infidels and their helpers. He also listed a "synopsis of important steps" that included obtaining a forged U.S. birth certificate; renting a car; using different driver's licenses for each car rented; putting bombs in cars and taking them to different places during rush hour; and leaving the city for a safe place.
According to the affidavit, Aldawsari conducted research on various targets and e-mailed himself information on these locations and people. One of the documents he sent himself, with the subject line listed as "Targets," allegedly contained the names and home addresses of three American citizens who had previously served in the U.S. military and had been stationed for a time at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
In another e-mail titled "NICE TARGETS 01," Aldawsari allegedly sent himself the names of 12 reservoir dams in Colorado and California. In another e-mail to himself, titled "NICE TARGETS," he listed two categories of targets: hydroelectric dams and nuclear power plants. On Feb. 6, 2011, the affidavit alleges, Aldawsari sent himself an e-mail titled "Tyrant's House," in which he listed the Dallas address for former President George W. Bush. The affidavit also alleges that Aldawsari conducted research that could indicate his consideration of the use of infant dolls to conceal explosives and possible targeting of a nightclub with an explosive concealed in a backpack.
The
affidavit
also
alleges
that
Aldawsari
created
a
blog
in
which
he
posted
extremist
messages.
In
one
posting,
he
expressed
dissatisfaction
with
current
conditions
of
Muslims
and
vowed
jihad
and
martyrdom.
"You
who
created
mankind….grant
me
martyrdom
for
Your
sake
and
make
jihad
easy
for
me
only
in
Your
path,"
he
wrote.
(BNO NEWS )