Posted on 10/20/2006 12:05:18 PM PDT by UB355
osa grocery store clerk charged in stadium hoax threat Man, 20, posted "targets" on the Internet Associated Press Posted: Oct. 20, 2006
Newark, NJ - A Wisconsin grocery store clerk described as artsy and quiet surrendered Friday on charges in an Internet hoax threatening a ''dirty bomb'' plot against U.S. football stadiums, federal authorities said. Advertisement
Jake J. Brahm, of Wauwatosa, admitted that between September and Wednesday he had posted the same threat about 40 times on various Web sites, U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said.
Brahm surrendered to the U.S. Marshal's Service on Friday morning and was scheduled to appear in court in Milwaukee later in the day.
He was charged in a sealed criminal complaint filed Thursday in Newark, Christie said. One of the seven stadiums allegedly targeted was Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
''These types of hoaxes scare innocent people, cost business resources and waste valuable homeland security resources. We cannot tolerate this Internet version of yelling fire in a crowded theater in the post-9/11 era,'' Christie said.
Brahm was first taken into custody by police in Wauwatosa on Wednesday based on information authorities received that he was the source of the Internet threat, federal authorities said.
FBI agents interviewed him that night, and the FBI said Thursday it had determined the threat was a hoax.
A joint statement from the FBI and Homeland Security Department said fans ''should be reassured of their security as they continue to attend sporting events this weekend.''
An FBI official in Washington, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case is still under investigation, told The Associated Press that the man acknowledged posting the phony stadium threat as part of a ''writing duel'' with a man from the Brownsville, Texas, area to see who could post the scariest threat.
The Texas man corroborated the story, the official said.
The threat, dated Oct. 12, appeared on the Web site ''The Friend Society,'' which links to various online forums and off-color cartoons. Its author, identified in the message as ''javness,'' said trucks would deliver radiological bombs Sunday to stadiums in Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Cleveland, Oakland, Calif., and the New York City area, and that Osama bin Laden would claim responsibility.
The agency alerted authorities Wednesday in the cities mentioned, as well as the NFL and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. But the FBI and Homeland Security said there was no intelligence indicating such an attack might be imminent.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said stadiums are well protected through ''comprehensive security procedures'' that include bag searches and pat-downs.
Relatives of Brahm declined to comment Friday.
Brahm worked as a grocery clerk at Outpost Natural Foods, a co-op near his house, said Jeremy Layman, assistant store manager. He said Brahm made his shifts on time and was not a concern.
''He was a normal guy. That's all we're going to say at this time,'' Layman said.
Mallory McKenney, 21, graduated the year before Brahm from Wauwatosa East High School. She described him as artsy and quiet, but friendly.
''He seemed like a nice guy. He was quiet but always seemed friendly whenever we were in a group of people together. I just remember him being very friendly in the halls,'' said McKenney, a waitress at a restaurant across the street from the school's football field.
Erik Vasys, spokesman with the FBI in San Antonio, said there would be no charges against the Texas man.
''I was advised he interacted with this gentleman in Milwaukee, just downloaded some things, but he was not part of the hoax writing,'' Vasys said.
Socially inept, marginally employed, filled with twisted rage and demented fantasies, involved with the fringe envirocrunchy economy.
"He was a normal guy."
Horse Hockey.
artsy? does that mean "liberal" or "liberal with flair"?
Another vegan-animal-rights-human-hating whackjob I bet . . .
Democrat, if he bothered to leave his parent's basement, to go and register.
"to see who could post the scariest threat."
Now prison officials can have a contest to see who can come up with the scariest cell mate/bunk buddy for him
I found him. Read some of his "write-ups":
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1451444
Friggin Liberal.
Which one is artsy and which is friendly?
His parents must be so proud
Yeah, I'm kidding (sort of).
My name is Jake Brahm. I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My hobbies include masturbating, watching foreign language films, playing cards, drumming, and sleeping. One day I hope to leave my house. In the near future I would like to buy a new pair of socks. Autumn and winter are my favorite seasons, and I dislike summer and spring the most. I am not black.
I think he is series. Any way, a probable product of public screwls.
I see his hobbies do not include dating girls.
He probably gets his worldview from his parents, probably Wisconsin liberals.
What kind of bar doesn't have women. Gay bars.
Parents apparently live close to the Outpost Foods store. Poor Jake lives in the basement I suspect and can ride his trike to work.
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