2nd Topeka man arrested in connection with bomb plot at Fort Riley | 11 April 2015 | A second Topeka man is now charged in connection with an alleged plot to detonate a vehicle bomb at the Fort Riley.
U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom says 28-year-old Alexander E. Blair is charged with one count of failing to report a felony. A criminal complaint filed Friday alleges Blair knew of a plot by John T. Booker.
The complaint alleges that in March 2014, the FBI began an investigation into Booker, who also called himself Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, concerning statements he made online indicating he wanted to wage jihad and to die in the process. Booker was arrested April 10, 2015, and charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and two other counts.
During the investigation of Booker, law enforcement officers learned that Blair shared some of Booker’s extremist views and loaned Booker money for the purpose of renting a storage unit that Booker used to store components for a bomb. The complaint alleges Blair knew of Booker’s intent to detonate a bomb at Fort Riley and to “kill as many soldiers as possible.” Despite being convinced that Booker was serious about carrying out the plot, the complaint alleges, Blair chose not to report what he knew to the authorities.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison.
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A 20-year-old Kansan man allegedly joined the U.S. Army last year so he could launch an “ISIS-inspired attack” on American soldiers like the deadly strike on Ft. Hood, Tex., in 2009, federal authorities announced today.
John T. Booker of Topeka was arrested after a lengthy FBI investigation. He was set to report for basic training on Tuesday.
He’s the latest alleged ISIS sympathizer nabbed by the FBI following a string of arrests involving Americans allegedly plotting to join ISIS overseas or launch attacks on their behalf here in the U.S.
Sources said Booker may be suffering from mental health issues.
Booker came to the FBI’s attention after an unidentified citizen complained to federal authorities about messages he had posted on his Facebook page.
“Getting ready to be killed in jihad is a HUGE adrenaline rush!!” he allegedly posted on March 19, 2014. “I am so nervous. NOT because I’m scared to die but I am eager to meet my lord.”
The next day, FBI agents approached Booker and interviewed him, according to court documents. In that interview, he admitted he enlisted in the U.S. Army months earlier with the intent to commit an insider attack on American forces like the Ft. Hood in 2009, when Maj. Nidal Hassan (allegedly) killed 13 and injured dozens more, court documents show.
Seven month later, an FBI informant began engaging with Booker, and during those conversations Booker “repeatedly expressed his desire to engage in violent jihad on behalf of [ISIS],” the FBI alleges in court documents.
Specifically, on Oct. 10, 2014, Booker told the FBI informant he “joined the United States Army” and “was going to go in there and kill the American soldier,” the court documents say.
“Booker stated that he formulated several plans for committing jihad once enlisted, including firing at other soldiers while at basic training at the firing range or while at his pre-deployment military base after completing his initial military training,” according to the court documents. “Booker clarified that he did not intend to kill ‘privates,’ but that he instead wanted to target someone with power.”
In addition, Booker said he planned to use a small gun or sword for his attack, court documents say.
BE VERY AFRAID! EXPAND THE POWER AND BUDGET OF THE DHS et al………..
Exactly a week ago, FBI agents arrested a Philadelphia woman for allegedly conspiring to provide material support to the group now so infamous for its brutal propaganda videos and the havoc it’s wreaking in war-torn Syria and Iraq. The day before, the FBI field office in New York announced it has arrested two ISIS-inspired women for plotting to detonate a bomb inside the United States. (similar propaganda)
The week before, two cousins — one of them a current member of the Illinois National Guard — were arrested in Chicago for allegedly trying to launch ISIS-inspired attacks in the U.S. and overseas.
A week earlier, a U.S. Air Force veteran, 28-year-old Tairod Pugh of New Jersey, was indicted for his own ISIS-inspired plans. On his laptop, FBI agents allegedly discovered more than 180 jihadist propaganda videos.
In February, three New York City men were arrested on charges they allegedly conspired to join ISIS but also expressed willingness to carry out attacks on the terror group’s behalf in the U.S.
Over the past two years, nearly 50 Americans have been charged with trying to join ISIS or are suspected of taking action inspired by the group.
See the full complaint attached to this story.
FBI Charges Kansas Man Tried to Bomb U.S. Military Base | 10 April 2015 | A 20-year-old Topeka man has been arrested by federal agents for allegedly plotting to detonate a bomb at Fort Riley military base in Kansas, officials said Friday. John T. Booker, Jr., allegedly sought to attack the U.S. Army base on behalf of Islamic State militant group, according to a three-count criminal complaint filed in federal court in Kansas. Authorities say he was arrested Friday morning outside the base as made the final connections to arm what he believed was a powerful vehicle-delivered bomb.