Note: Jose converted to Islam in early 90s. He was convicted of battery on a jail officer and resisting without violence in January 1992. He pleaded guilty and spent 10 months behind bars. Court records also show Padilla with speeding convictions in 1993 and 1997, and his driver's license was suspended in 1996.
So he was out and about in 95, and he had already converted to Islam. By helping McVeigh, he would have shown his conviction to the cause and moved up on the food chain easily. So now, we need to establish what the heck he was doing in 94 and 95, as a former felon and Islam convertee.
Chicago Sun-Times article this morning has Padilla in Pakistan and Afghanistan some time in the early 90's. He could have gotten training (in explosives?) at an Islamist camp at some time between '93 and '95. Would only require a couple of months.
Chicago Sun-Times article this morning has Padilla in Pakistan and Afghanistan some time in the early 90's. He could have gotten training (in explosives?) at an Islamist camp at some time between '93 and '95. Would only require a couple of months.