FBI sting operation nabs 5 in Ohio bomb plot

CBS ^ | May 1, 2012 9:56 AM

[nuconvert]

Five "self-proclaimed anarchists" have been arrested after a months-long sting operation, charged with plotting to blow up a bridge in the Cleveland area, the FBI announced today.

CBS News senior correspondent John Miller reports the group had been involved in a series of escalating plots that ended with their arrest last night by FBI agents.

The sting operation supplied the anarchists with what they thought were "explosives" and bomb-making materials.

At no time during the case was the public in danger, the FBI said.

[1rudeboy]

What you have wrong, is that you haven’t read my #77, and the link to which it leads. You have a conclusion, searching for data . . . and you imagine that ignoring the real data makes it non-existent (and your conclusion valid).

[daisy mae for the usa]

I just finished EFAD a few days ago. This news story is giving me the Heebiejeebies.

[Scotswife]

I was busy all day and am just catching up on the news.LOL! Thanks for the update!

[DBrow]

Thank you for pointing out your link, it was very informative!

OK, this needs fleshing out but I’ll post what I have so far. I went through the Heritage list of 50 terror takedowns and simplified them. if it was conspiracy and planning and plotting with no explosives or hardware, it says “conspiracy” and sometimes “support”, which means “material support for a terror group”.

If the takedown involved a real attack I put down real attack (underwaear bomber, shoe bomber).

If there was a sting where the FBI or whoever provided inoperable guns and or fake explosives, I put that down.

I need to do some counting, but it looks like there are many cases of conspiracy and or support, some overseas, that do not involve explosives or hardware (23). There are not that many real attacks (3?), and in recent years 9 or 10 sting operations involving fakes and duds.

1- 2003, real attack
2-2003, conspiracy and support
3-providing support
4-2003, support, provide explosives overseas
5-2003, conspiracy and support
6-2003, conspiracy, support
7-2003, conspiracy and support
8-2003, conspiracy to plant bombs (no explosives just planning)
9-2004, planning and conspiracy (in Pakistan)
10-2004, conspiracy, infiltrated
11-2004, sting w fake munitions
12-2005, support (took training)
13-2005, conspiracy
14-2005, sting, some real explosives later found
15-2006, conspiracy
16- 2006, conspiracy, support
17-2006, conspiracy, infiltrated
18-2006, conspiracy, overseas
19-2006, conspiracy, overseas, no explosives
20-2006, sting, fake grenades
21-2007, conspiracy, mastermind
22-2007, conspiracy, weapons charges, infiltrated
23-2007, conspiracy
24- 2008, conspiracy, disclosing classified
25-2008, consiracy
26- 2008, conspiracy, support, overseas
27-2009, sting, fake explosives
28- 2009, conspiracy, support
29- 2009, conspiracy, cached precursors
30- 2009, sting, fake bomb
31- 2009, sting, fake explosives
32- 2009, conspiracy
33-2009, actual attack with explosives (underwear)
34- 2010, material suport
35- 2010, actual attack but “explosives” were commercial fireworks and gas
36- 2010, making false statements, no weapons or explosives
37- 2010, support, surveillance
38- 2010, actual explosives shipped to USA
39- 2010, sting, fake explosives
40- 2010, sting, fake explosives
41- 2011, attempted use of WMD, purchased precursor
42- 2011, sting, purchased apparently live grenades from cops
43-2011, firearms, precursors, shooting at govt buildings
44-2011, sting, inoperable weapons
45- 2011, solicitation to commit crimes, distribution of explosives information
46- 2011, provided trigger device to FBI agent, conspiracy
47- 2011, conspiracy blown by informants ( a Mexi cartel squealed!)
48- 2011, had bomb components with intent to use, “informant” involved
49- 2012, sting, disabled guns and fake explosives
50- 2012, sting, inoperable weapons and fake bombs

[DBrow]

Sorted out a little:

REAL ATTACKS (4)
1- 2003, real attack
33-2009, actual attack with explosives (underwear)
35- 2010, actual attack but “explosives” were commercial fireworks and gas
43-2011, firearms, precursors (AN), shooting at govt buildings

EXPLOSIVES OR HARDWARE INVOLVED (7)
22-2007, conspiracy, weapons charges, infiltrated
4-2003, support, provide explosives overseas
29- 2009, conspiracy, cached precursors
38- 2010, actual explosives shipped to USA
41- 2011, attempted use of WMD, purchased precursor
46- 2011, provided trigger device to FBI agent, conspiracy (cell phone mod)
48- 2011, had bomb components with intent to use, “informant” involved

STING WITH FAKES (12)
11-2004, sting w fake munitions
14-2005, sting, some real explosives later found
20-2006, sting, fake grenades
27-2009, sting, fake explosives
30- 2009, sting, fake bomb
31- 2009, sting, fake explosives
39- 2010, sting, fake explosives
40- 2010, sting, fake explosives
42- 2011, sting, purchased apparently live grenades from cops
44-2011, sting, inoperable weapons
49- 2012, sting, disabled guns and fake explosives
50- 2012, sting, inoperable weapons and fake bombs

CONSPIRACY, NO HARDWARE (27)
2-2003, conspiracy and support
3-providing support
5-2003, conspiracy and support
6-2003, conspiracy, support
7-2003, conspiracy and support
8-2003, conspiracy to plant bombs (no explosives just planning)
9-2004, planning and conspiracy (in Pakistan)
10-2004, conspiracy, infiltrated
12-2005, support (took training)
13-2005, conspiracy

[DBrow]

15-2006, conspiracy
16- 2006, conspiracy, support
17-2006, conspiracy, infiltrated
18-2006, conspiracy, overseas
19-2006, conspiracy, overseas, no explosives
21-2007, conspiracy, mastermind
23-2007, conspiracy
24- 2008, conspiracy, disclosing classified
25-2008, consiracy
26- 2008, conspiracy, support, overseas
28- 2009, conspiracy, support
32- 2009, conspiracy
34- 2010, material suport
36- 2010, making false statements, no weapons or explosives
37- 2010, support, surveillance
45- 2011, solicitation to commit crimes, distribution of explosives information
47- 2011, conspiracy blown by informants ( a Mexi cartel squealed!)

Oops they all didn’t paste.

[Travis McGee]

“I’m a little rattled. The bridge they were to blow up is about 1 mile from my home.”

Come on, don't fall for this baloney. Without the encouragement and control of FBI agent provocateurs, there was no plot.

[Travis McGee]

#72: Exactly my take.

[Travis McGee]

The federal fusion centers are busy data-mining away. The reply at 72 is actually correct. Just download “the anarkists’ koocbuke” (spelled thus intentionally) and see what new friends you will soon meet, with helpful ideas about where to put the demo charges they will encourage you to build, with their help.

[marstegreg]

From what I read in the media the actually detonated the bombs. The fact that FBI sold them faulty equipment doesn’t seem like much of a set-up. It is a godsend.

[Travis McGee]

Hey, I got a terrific bridge in Brooklyn I’ll sell you cheap. You will make a fortune in tolls.

[1rudeboy]

Please do not misunderstand: I think your larger point is valid. I merely was remarking that what you refer to as a statistical “oddity” is actually a statistical correlation.

[marstegreg]

I think you are the one who is naiive here. Anarchists are not a peaceful bunch. They have done some horrible things for their cause. Are you telling me these are peaceful anarchists who peacefully built a bomb to not use it on us?

[Travis McGee]

Of course anarchists are jerks, criminals, terrorists etc.

But this was a controlled operation from the git-go, IMHO. Somebody downloaded the anarkists kookbook, and the FBI took it from there. It’s a good way to discourage terrorism, but don’t mistake it for a real plan that would have come off on its own, without the FBI’s active help, support and encouragement.

[DBrow]

You should find, and read, the FBI complaint on these guys. Their original plan was to create a diversion, then knock down the big signs on the tops of corporate buildings.

The complaint is out there.

[marstegreg]

I just keep thinking “what if they purchaased this stuff from someone else?” These are the “ends justify the means crowd”. Granted, it seems like this bunch suffers from “intelligence failure” ( big time ) but I would imagine that there are a lot of anarchists out there who have much better skills than these guys do.

[DBrow]

I understand what you are saying. I was throwing around technical terms in a casual manner and you caught me. Maybe it would be more accurate if I left out the mention of statistics:

“Isn’t it strange that we see lots of “stings” and very few cases of people actually building bombs?”

Besides, you got me started on an analysis of how many stings there are versus actual bombers getting caught, and I thank you for the nudge.

[DBrow]

“Somebody downloaded the anarkists kookbook, and the FBI took it from there.”

In the complaint, the feds already had their eye on a couple of these guys and sent an informant to a rally, where he saw his targets and a few pals acting unlike the other rally members.

The informant moved in and infiltrated. It was AFTER the group got infiltrated that the informant started wearing a wire and during this period, the main perp talked about, then got, the cookbook. When the group decided it would be better to buy than make explosives, the informant was right there with a suggestion as to where to get the stuff.

Anyone who wants a copy can go to any public library and dl it onto a thumb drive with no trace, so the feds don’t (can’t, actually) trace all the people that have a copy. If you are already under surveillance, yep, they’ll know.

[marstegreg]

Wow. What a messed up plan: Let’s kill people crossing over/under a bridge so we can knock down some signs!? I hope these guys like jail (a lot) cause they are going to be there a while! (unless Holder deems otherwise)

[DBrow]

Sorry, I was not clear. The original plan had to do with signs on buildings, this morphed into a plot to destroy a bridge merely to f things up. Look for the FBI complaint, I’m pressed for time here and can’t search it up myself.