Suspect Arrested In Alleged Chicago Terror Plot
Law Enforcement Officials: Plot Involved Attack In Chicago(CBS) CHICAGO A suspect has been arrested in an alleged terror plot that involves a Chicago target, sources tell CBS 2.
As CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports from outside the courtroom of U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez, a source tells CBS 2 that a suspect was arrested in a case with national security implications.
Law enforcement officials say the man was a U.S. citizen, and planned to commit some sort of terrorist attack in Chicago. The man had "ideas and desires, but no means," law enforcement sources said.
A source said earlier that the alleged plot might have involved a shopping mall, but later information did not specify what the target was.
Law enforcement officials added that the alleged plot was not on the level of 9/11, and even "three rungs below" the recent Miami plot that was disrupted. That plot involved alleged plans to blow up Chicago's Sears Tower.
The man arrestred Friday is considered a lone operator without ties to any known terrorist organization, law enforcement sources said.
He has an appearance in Chicago's federal court at 11:45 a.m.
The U.S. Attorney's office said a written statement and comments from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and FBI special-agent-in-charge Robert Grant will soon be provided.
A lone operator involved in a plot? How did they track him? Was he communicating with himself?
Patrick Fitgerald's in charge. Well, at least it'll get done right... /s
Pat Fitzgerald is on the case!
Well, that's somewhat more encouraging as to a lack of ties to domestic terrorism. Though I'll still bet he's not Amish.
Ideas and desires do not a prosecutable case make. Else Senator-elect Webb would be in jail for plotting to assault the President.
Granting, this is ABC and thus there is the potential for a mess of reportage, but there has to either be a material step taken in furtherance of the plot, or a criminal solicitation of another person to join said plot. These are the requisite elements of an inchoate crime.