Ohio Ping!
To be added to the Ohio Ping List, please freepmail (works best) TonyRo76 and/or LasVegasDave.
Posted on 06/03/2008 3:55:54 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A man accused of joining al-Qaida in the early 1990s and helping teach fellow Muslim extremists how to bomb U.S. and European targets pleaded guilty Tuesday to planning terrorist attacks.
Christopher Paul, 44, pleaded guilty to a count that carries a maximum life prison sentence, but entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors that calls for a 20-year term.
U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Frost accepted the plea but said he would not give final approval to the deal until he sees the government's pre-sentence report, which is not expected for several months.
No sentencing date was set.
Paul pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction—specifically bombs—in terrorist attacks. Prosecutors agreed to drop charges of providing material support to terrorists and conspiracy to provide support to terrorists.
Paul, a U.S. citizen born and raised in Ohio, didn't make a statement; his attorneys left the court without commenting and did not immediately return messages. Paul was indicted in April 2007 and had been set to go to trial early next year.
The plea doesn't specify where Paul planned to use bombs. But the charge corresponds with a statement prosecutors presented in court Tuesday that Paul plotted with a German terror group to bomb Americans at home and abroad. Paul agreed in court to the accuracy of the statement.
The statement, read by FBI agent Tisha Hartsough, said Paul traveled to Germany in 1999 and trained members of an alleged terrorist cell knowing the group planned to make bombs and car bombs to use against Americans vacationing at overseas tourist resorts.
The statement said the German group also planned to use bombs against Americans in the United States and against overseas U.S. facilities such as embassies, military bases and consular premises. The government didn't say if any attacks were carried out.
Paul was quiet in court. His only words were a polite series of, "Yes, sir," and "No, sir," to questions from Frost about the plea.
The Justice Department had also accused Paul and two other men of discussing terrorist attacks during an August 2002 meeting at a coffee shop in suburban Columbus.
The other two have pleaded guilty and were convicted: Nuradin Abdi in connection with an alleged plot to blow up an Ohio shopping mall, and Iyman Faris in connection with a plot to destroy the Brooklyn Bridge.
"Today marked the third time that a central Ohioan has stood up in front of a federal judge and pleaded guilty to committing an act of terrorism," said Fred Alverson, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Alverson declined further comment, saying the government's investigation was continuing. The government has not identified other individuals connected with the trio and no other charges are pending.
The FBI statement said Paul, who converted to Islam in the late 1980s, joined al-Qaida after traveling to Afghanistan in the early 1990s and became committed to furthering the objectives of that group and other radical Islamic fundamentalists.
As part of his association with al-Qaida, he fought with holy warriors in Afghanistan at a time when the mujahadeen were battling Afghanistan's post-Soviet Marxist government.
The statement said Paul returned to Columbus after fighting in Afghanistan to recruit other individuals to a holy warrior group in the city, an effort that involved teaching martial arts at a local mosque.
ping.
Sounds like he would make a fine professor at one of our many liberal universities.
He should be shot for treason.
“He should be shot for treason.”
No, he’ll get a job co-anchoring with Keith Olbermann.
Yep, Abdul Malek — GUILTY.
Thanks for the ping, Jet Jaguar.
#
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2024913/posts?page=71#71
Ohio Ping!
To be added to the Ohio Ping List, please freepmail (works best) TonyRo76 and/or LasVegasDave.
Put him in jail for life. Then shoot him.
In the spring 2002 there was a Muslim convention at Deer Creek State Park, just south of Columbus. My family and I were staying there that weekend. I was told about a year later that jihad was being preached in assemblies at this convention.
In the spring 2002 there was a Muslim convention at Deer Creek State Park, just south of Columbus. My family and I were staying there that weekend. I was told about a year later that jihad was being preached in assemblies at this convention.
BTTT
Thanks.
He can join Bill Ayers at U of I Chicago.
Previously...
Note: The following text is a quote:
June 3, 2008
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2008/June/08-nsd-492.html
Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Bomb Targets in Europe and the United States
WASHINGTON – Christopher Paul, aka “Abdul Malek,” aka “Paul Kenyatta Laws,” a 44-year-old U.S. citizen born in Columbus, Ohio, has pleaded guilty today to conspiring with others to use a weapon of mass destruction, namely explosive devices, against targets in Europe and the United States in violation of 18 USC, Section 2332a.
The guilty plea, which was entered today in the Southern District of Ohio, was announced by Patrick Rowan, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Gregory G. Lockhart, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Executive Assistant Director Arthur M. Cummings, II, of the FBI’s National Security Branch.
On April 11, 2007, Paul was arrested in Ohio pursuant to a three-count indictment alleging that he conspired to provide material support and resources to terrorists; conspired to use a weapon of mass destruction; and provided material support and resources to terrorists. In pleading guilty to count two of the indictment, Paul has agreed to a sentence of 20 years in prison. The government has agreed to dismiss counts one and three of the indictment. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled following the completion of a pre-sentence investigation report.
“Today’s guilty plea brings an end to the long, dangerous career of Christopher Paul, an Ohio native who joined al Qaeda in the early 1990s, fought in Afghanistan and Bosnia and conspired with others to target Americans both at home and abroad,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Rowan. “His conviction demonstrates our continuing resolve to protect the American public against terrorism.”
“This guilty plea is a significant step forward in the war on terror,” U.S. Attorney Gregory G. Lockhart said. “The hard work by the Columbus FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force has resulted in three significant terrorism convictions, showing that all parts of the country must be involved in our national efforts.”
“No one agency can accomplish the immense task of protecting U.S. national security from terrorism,” said Executive Assistant Director Arthur M. Cummings, II, of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “The conviction of Christopher Paul was the result of a five-year, worldwide investigation with great cooperation from multiple federal, state and local agencies serving on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Columbus. Together, with our partners in law enforcement and assistance from the public, we can stop terrorists from infiltrating our communities.”
By pleading guilty to count two of the indictment, Paul admitted that from at least April 1999 through January 2000, he agreed with at least one other person to become a member of a conspiracy which intended to use a weapon of mass destruction, namely explosive devices, against one or more of the following: U.S. nationals outside the United States; persons or property within the United States affecting interstate or foreign commerce; and/or property that was owned, leased or used by the United States.
According to a statement of facts read by the case agent during the change of plea hearing and acknowledged to be true by the defendant:
In the early 1990s, Paul traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan to join the mujahedeen. At an al Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan, he received initial training in, among other things, the use of assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and small unit tactics. After successfully completing this training, he joined al Qaeda and stayed at the Beit ur Salam guesthouse, which was exclusively for al Qaeda members. Having distinguished himself to al Qaeda, Paul was then selected for and obtained advanced training in explosives, climbing, and military history. Paul then fought in Afghanistan alongside other mujahedeen.
After fighting in Afghanistan, Paul returned to Ohio, where he began instructing individuals in martial arts in Columbus. He also began recruiting local individuals with extremist intentions in order to establish a jihadist group in Ohio. Over time and through his association with al Qaeda, Paul became dedicated to committing jihad and furthering the objectives of al Qaeda and other radical Islamic fundamentalists.
From 1993 through 1995, Paul, using various passports and names, traveled to the Balkans in Europe and fought in conflict zones such as Bosnia, establishing further contact with radical Islamic fundamentalists, and creating a master list of al Qaeda leaders and other Islamic radicals worldwide. This list and bomb-making information was seized during the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s home.
Paul returned to Columbus after fighting in the Balkans, and, in 1997, received a fax from two al Qaeda co-conspirators in Europe asking, on behalf of “the brothers,” for Paul to find them a “true group and place to make jihad.” While in Columbus, Paul conducted training operations in Burr Oak State Park in Ohio with several members of his local group, replicating terrorist training he had received in Afghanistan and Bosnia.
Preparing to travel again overseas, Paul obtained a new passport after claiming his old passport – in one of his other aliases – had been damaged by water. Beginning in March 31, 1999, and continuing through Jan. 31, 2000, Paul made 44 calls to an Islamic fundamentalist co-conspirator in Europe, who was arrested in 2003 and later convicted of a terrorist conspiracy.
On April 16, 1999, Paul traveled to meet with members of an Islamic terror cell in Germany, who knew him as an expert in bomb-making/detonation devices. In Germany, Paul provided explosives training to the cell knowing that it was planning to use this training to construct bombs, car bombs, and similar devices to be used against Americans while they vacationed at foreign tourist resorts. The German terrorist cell also planned to use bombs against Americans in the United States, and against U.S. facilities abroad, such as U.S. embassies, diplomatic premises and military bases in Europe.
Upon his return to Ohio from Germany, Paul had a member of his group in Columbus purchase a printer / scanner in May 1999. The printer/scanner was then sent to one of the German terror cell members in order to help the cell manufacture fraudulent documents to facilitate worldwide travel. The cell member did not claim the package in Germany and it was sent back to Paul. During this time, Paul also bought other equipment to be used by extremists, including night vision equipment and a laser range finder. Additional similar items were found during the execution of search warrants by the Columbus FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. Furthermore, in November 1999, bank records show that Paul wire transferred $1,760 to one of the principal members of the German cell.
The Paul investigation was conducted by the Columbus FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, a multi-agency operation led by the FBI that includes agents and officers from 10 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio and the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
###
08-492
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.