FBI Quick to Dismiss ‘Link to Terrorism’ After Arrest

Bob McCarty Writes ^ | 1-26-10 | Bob McCarty

[BobMcCartyWrites]

When Lloyd R. Woodson, 43, of Reston, Va., was arrested today in Branchburg Township, N.J., law enforcement officers found a plethora of arms, ammunition and other items -- including a Middle Eastern red-and white-colored traditional headdress and maps of a military facility -- on his person, in his vehicle and in his motel room. According to a news report, however, the FBI was quick to issue a statement in which they dismiss any apparent link to terrorism:

[BobMcCartyWrites]

When Lloyd R. Woodson, 43, of Reston, Va., was arrested today in Branchburg Township, N.J., law enforcement officers found a plethora of arms, ammunition and other items -- including a Middle Eastern red-and white-colored traditional headdress and maps of a military facility -- on his person, in his vehicle and in his motel room. According to a news report, however, the FBI was quick to issue a statement in which they dismiss any apparent link to terrorism:

"Presently, there does not appear to be a link to terrorism; Woodson does not appear to have a link to any known terrorist groups, nor a specific terrorist plot. However, the matter is still under investigation and these should only be considered preliminary findings. It is possible that Mr. Woodson could face federal gun charges, but that has yet to be determined. At this time, the matter is being worked as a state case out of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office."

Is it me or does it seem as if the FBI has jumped to premature conclusion again? Take a look at the posting about the arrest that appears on the web site of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office and see if you agree that something seems amiss [Note: I added the red boldface type to the posting shown below]:

Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest and Branchburg Chief of Police Brian Fitzgerald announced that police have arrested and charged Lloyd R. Woodson, age 43, (last known address) Generation Drive, Reston, Virginia with multiple weapons offenses following an investigation in Branchburg, New Jersey.

Prosecutor Forrest stated that at approximately 3:55 a.m. on Monday, January 25, 2010, Branchburg police officers responded to a 9-1-1 call for a suspicious person at the Quick Chek located at 1296 Route 28, Branchburg Township, New Jersey. The caller stated that a black male wearing a military jacket was inside the store and was acting in a suspicious manner. Branchburg police officers responded to the Quick Chek to conduct the investigation. Patrolman Steven Cronce was the first officer on the scene and was able to locate and make contact with defendant Woodson. Patrolman Cronce conducted a field interview and noticed that defendant Woodson was extremely nervous. Patrolman Cronce also noticed a large bulge in the front of the defendant’s green military-style jacket. Defendant Woodson ran out of the Quick Chek at which time Patrolman Cronce noticed that defendant Woodson’s back was flat, which led him to believe that the defendant could be wearing a bullet proof vest.

Prosecutor Forrest stated that the defendant then fled on foot towards the Regency Trailer Park on Route 22. Additional officers responded to the area and began a canvass to locate defendant Woodson who was subsequently observed laying and hiding in bushes on the Regency Trailer Park property. Officers ordered defendant Woodson to show them his hands. Defendant Woodson refused to comply with the orders of the officers. Defendant Woodson once again began to flee on foot and was tackled to the ground by Branchburg officers. Defendant Woodson began to struggle with the arresting officers who had to use pepper spray in order to subdue him. During the struggle officers noticed that defendant Woodson was concealing a loaded Bushmaster semi-automatic .223 caliber (5.56 mm) assault rifle, which had been altered to fire .50 caliber ammunition, inside of his military-style coat. Officers were able to place defendant Woodson under arrest and a search incident to arrest revealed that defendant Woodson was wearing a military-style ballistic vest with a reinforced front steel plate, had four additional loaded magazines, all containing ball type and hollow point ammunition. This Bushmaster rifle had a defaced serial number.

Prosecutor Forrest stated that detectives subsequently conducted a search of the motel room which defendant Woodson was residing in at the Red Mill Inn, Route 22, Branchburg Township, New Jersey. Detectives located and seized from defendant Woodson’s motel room, a Bushmaster .308 caliber semi-automatic assault rifle with a defaced serial number, a 37 mm Cobray grenade launcher, a second ballistic vest, a rifle mountable Nightsight Illuminator NP75 (Russia) night vision scope, a police scanner, a military-style backpack, a map of a U.S. military installation and a map of an out-of-state civilian community, a Middle Eastern red and white colored traditional headdress, and hundreds of additional .50 caliber and .308 caliber ammunition along with military pouches and garrison equipment.

Prosecutor Forrest stated that defendant Woodson was charged with: Unlawful Possession of Weapons, second degree (2 counts); Prohibited Weapons/Armored Penetrating Bullets, fourth degree; Possession of Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines, fourth degree; Defaced Firearms (2 counts), fourth degree; Obstruction of Justice, disorderly persons; and Resisting Arrest, disorderly persons. Bail is to be set on defendant Woodson who will be subsequently lodged at the Somerset County Jail.

Prosecutor Forrest and Chief Fitzgerald state that their investigation is continuing and request anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100, or the Branchburg Township Police Department at 908-526-3830, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All calls are confidential.

Developing...

[himno hero]

Somebody is under orders direct from above to down play islamic terrorism. I think someone above does not want his link Obama=Muslim to be common knowledge.

Now, with attitudes like that how can Afghanistan be won or the investment made in Iraq come to a successful conclusion?

Let alone keeping America safe?

[hershey]

It looks suspiciously as though the FBI has been ordered by Obama to deny arrests linked to terrorism/Muslims. This poor fellow was just suffering from stress. Move along, nothing to see here.

[silverleaf]

So what was his target(s)?

Sure sounds like a Lone Wolf islamoterrorist (or wannabe) trying to get up the nerve to go kill and die for allah.

[silverleaf]

So what was his target(s)?

Sure sounds like a Lone Wolf islamoterrorist (or wannabe) trying to get up the nerve to go kill and die for allah.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

That’s exactly what I thought.

[NEMDF]

Wonder if he had a bunch of emails to some imam in Pakistan and/or made trips to Mecca?

[surrey]

According to O, the undie bomber is just a Nigerian student.

[Bulwinkle]

You don’t get it! He is ‘black....therefore not a terrist.

[mouse1]

My gut feeling is there is something big on the horizon. And all these little incidents are just distractions. Who knows how Totus would respond. I hope all you freepers are prepared with food, water, bible, amo etc. Scarey times we live in.

[PowderMonkey]

New Jersey? State firearms violations alone will have him so far back in jail, they’ll have to pump oxygen to him.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

“Middle Eastern red and white colored traditional headdress”

Jordanians, for example, wear a red and white kaffiyeh, while Palestinians wear a black and white one.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/lifestyles/links/turbans_27.html

[visualops]

lately i’ve been hearing alot of PSAs on the radio asking are you ready, what if you’re family gets separated, do you have a plan etc.

personally it looks to me like this guy was a candidate for SJSY(sudden jihad syndrome)

[1rudeboy]

Pet peeve of mine--how does stating that:

Presently, there does not appear to be a link to terrorism; Woodson does not appear to have a link to any known terrorist groups, nor a specific terrorist plot. However, the matter is still under investigation and these should only be considered preliminary . . .

turn into "quick to dismiss ‘link to terrorism?’"

[1rudeboy]

It looks suspiciously as though the FBI has been ordered by Obama to deny arrests linked to terrorism/Muslims.

And you got that from reading the headline. Impressive.

[Husker]

Obviously, he isn’t a terrorist. I’m sure he was simply out to buy some girl scout cookies and fend off a small army that would try to take them from him.

[OB1kNOb]

My gut feeling is there is something big on the horizon.

That's one of Gerald Celente's 2010 bold predictions too. Last time he predicted such an occurance? In later 2000....before 9/11/01.

[silverleaf]

after 9-11 many years ago there were reports of all kinds of al Qaeda plans- sending a coded message to loose individuals or small team to go out doing random drive by shootings in cities, neighborhoods, in malls, at schools, etc- was part of a plan

For a while after I read that, I used to case the mall entrance to make sure I knew how to get out fast- I'll start doing that again

That was also about the time our schools all went to lockdown of all doors, which still makes me uncomfortable, that keeps out more good guys than bad guys

[OB1kNOb]

My gut feeling is there is something big on the horizon.

That's one of Gerald Celente's 2010 bold predictions too. Last time he predicted such an occurance? In later 2000....before 9/11/01.

[faucetman]

The FBI has determined that the traditional headdress was just a dish towel and a spare fan belt. The guns were for hunting and target practice. Woodson is a member of a local gun club and militia group. He was wearing the body armor as a precaution because of racism. He ran from police because everyone knows that police profile Blacks, arrest them, and put them in jail in disproportionate numbers. He is a member of a local Baptist church, where he teaches Sunday school. Terrorism, very unlikely. (sarc)